Orkus Skateparc Inline Skating Notebook/ウェブリブログ

Orkus Skateparc

<< 作成日時： 2007/11/28 22:22 >>

カナダのモントリオール島で、ただ一つのインドアパークである Orkus Skateparc が１２月１５日に閉鎖されるというニュースが入ってきました。当然、行った事も無くジャンルも違うけど・・・こう云うのは聞くだけで寂しくなります。日本では増える続ける公共スケートパークを歓迎していますが、言い換えれば民業圧迫しているワケで、有料パークの経営はドンドン苦しくなります。さて、公共パークだけが残ったとして、それでイイのでしょうか。

Orkus Skateparc to close Dec. 15

The Gazette Published: Monday, November 26

Orkus Skateparc in Town of Mont Royal will be shutting its doors on Dec. 15, The Gazette has learned.

Co-owner Gabe Laduke, announced the decision via a video posted on the park's website.

The indoor skateboarding, inline skating and BMX biking facility is currently the only one of its kind on the island of Montreal.

The government-funded Taz Mahal is scheduled to open next December at the site of the old Miron quarry in St. Michel, said Michel Comeau, that park's manager.

Meanwhile, skateboarding aficionados on the island will have have nowhere to practice their sport this winter, Laduke said in the video.

Orkus Skatepark shutting down speech

A confluence of factors led to the decision to shut the park's doors, Laduke added.

High rent, insufficient industry support and the declining popularity of skateboarding in North America are partly to blame, he said.

Orkus' administration has been vehemently critical of the upcoming Taz, constantly questioning why the city would sink more money into a new building when Orkus is only five kilometres from its future site and more easily accessible by public transit.

In his video, Laduke ironically thanks Mayor Gérald Tremblay's administration for contributing to their closing. The city refused Orkus' requests to help the park stay afloat, even after Laduke offered to incorporate changes to their facility that would allow them to fulfill some of the 'youth centre' aspects featured in the Taz proposals.

According to the city the Taz is their sole focus. They are slated to receive about $2 million in municipal money. Tremblay's administration promised a new Taz after the old one was expropriated to make way for the Grande Bibliotheque downtown in 2001.