Tony Hawk Opens Expanded Skate Park in Smithers, B.C.

Why this matters: The skate park expansion provides a valuable recreational space for the community, fostering a sense of belonging and promoting an active lifestyle. Hawk’s visit underscores the importance of skateboarding and provides inspiration for local skaters.

The Smithers Skate Park expansion represents a significant investment in the community’s recreational infrastructure. The original park, built in 1996, was the first of its kind north of Kamloops. The recent upgrades, costing nearly $1 million, include an eight-foot bowl, transition areas, lighting, a shaded structure, a water filling station, and landscaping. This project was made possible through fundraising, grants, and donations, highlighting the community’s commitment to the project.

The park’s expansion is part of a broader effort to establish Smithers as a hub for board sports. With its existing popularity as a destination for downhill skiing and snowboarding, the upgraded skate park adds another dimension to the town’s appeal. Jake Daly of the Smithers Skate Park Society and Tourism Smithers sees the skate park as a natural extension of the community’s identity.

Tony Hawk’s visit not only celebrated the park’s opening but also brought significant attention to Smithers. An estimated 1,000 people attended the event, with some traveling over five hours to see Hawk skate. Hawk himself expressed excitement about visiting a new region and praised the community’s support for the park, calling it a "world-class park in a relatively small town."

The expansion cost nearly $1 million.

The original park was built in 1996.

New features include an eight-foot bowl, lighting, benches, signage, a shaded structure, and a water filling station.

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