Looking to shred in Labrador West? A local skate park is getting a huge upgrade

Skateboarders looking for a place to shred in Labrador City will soon be able to hit the ramps at the town's newly upgraded skate park.

In May the town awarded a $1.28 million contract to Drop In Skateparks to revamp the ramps available to skaters, which will transform above ground ramps into a formed concrete skate pad.

Jim Dobbin, president of the Trick Lane Skateboard Association, said skaters are hoping the park can be opened by the start of the new school year. 

"From day one, we'd always like to see an urban park, like a street park with features that you would see around towns or cities," Dobbin told CBC Radio's Labrador Morning.

"It was very exciting news. Skateboarding was the initial start of our association … [but] every kid in town now got some sort of wheels. And they're going to get a new park to get to their next level."

The desire for a skate park has been there since the association began in 2005, Dobbin said. The association's original executive still remains in place, he added, and have finally seen their goal come to fruition.

It comes as skateboarding continues to gain popularity in the region. Dobbin said he's seen the sport grow both locally and around the world in recent years, highlighted by the introduction of skateboarding as an Olympic sport in 2020.

"[It's] important, I think, for, you know, the younger generation to have a place to call their own. And to be outside and videotaping, putting music to their videos that they're landing some tricks. To me, it's long overdue."

Dobbin said he's excited to see Labrador City have a place for riders of all skill levels to develop their skills.

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