Vic West Skatepark Resurface Petition
The Issue
Hello, my name is Jimmy Miller. I am a longtime skateboarder from Victoria and I feel the Vic West Skatepark requires resurfacing, resealing and repairs. The skatepark itself is well loved, rich in history, and it needs enhanced upkeep to continue to inspire future generations.
Natural use, anti-graffiti efforts and the passage of time has roughened the entire riding surface over the last twenty five years. Frankly, most millennium era skateparks are showing their age, this isn’t just a Vic West issue. Skatepark standardizations and contingency plans weren’t built into old school budgets; It’s time for some T.L.C.
As backstory, I was a member of the Victoria Streetsurf Association that fought to get the original Nathan Gillespie Skateboard built in Vic West, in 1992. That was a tough battle to convince Victoria that public skateparks deserved to exist. Later, I was directly involved in the significant expansion of the skatepark in 2001. While social acceptance had grown, that was an exhausting nine year journey. I have also spearheaded numerous other skatepark developments in the Capital Regional District. To say that I care about skateboarding and skateparks would be an understatement.
Many others share my passion.
In truth, convincing others about the value of a skatepark is different from when I first climbed atop a soapbox. Back then, we were considered troublesome, shunned and not taken seriously. Nowadays, skateboarding is mostly accepted as a recreational pursuit, passed down from parent to child, and even featured in the Olympics. People of all ages, genders and belief systems come to have fun, or to hone a singular trick for personal satisfaction. As a result, skateparks act as a community hub, adhoc daycare centres, a location for events to occur, as well as global destination locations. I feel they can be vital to expressing oneself in a mental and physical way.
In the varying ways a skatepark is designed, built, or how they are used, ie: skateboard, BMX, inline or scooter, the one common thing we can all agree upon is: smoother = better.
To summarize, Vic West Skatepark is a still great place to roll, offering challenge and intrigue to youth and the young at heart, but it needs attention beyond superficial crack repair. Around the city, lightbulbs get changed, potholes get filled and drains get cleared. On parks land, sports fields get maintained on a scheduled basis or fixed as needed, lines get repainted seasonally, sports courts get recoated, etc. While upkeep timelines vary, this maintenance ideology remains intact and unquestioned. I feel it’s time to see the Vic West Skatepark in a similar light; as a long term investment that requires smooth ground for rolling on, falling upon (reduced friction means less torn skin), as well as seasonal proofing for seaside west coast weather.
If you agree, would you be willing to sign this petition to say so?
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The Issue
Hello, my name is Jimmy Miller. I am a longtime skateboarder from Victoria and I feel the Vic West Skatepark requires resurfacing, resealing and repairs. The skatepark itself is well loved, rich in history, and it needs enhanced upkeep to continue to inspire future generations.
Natural use, anti-graffiti efforts and the passage of time has roughened the entire riding surface over the last twenty five years. Frankly, most millennium era skateparks are showing their age, this isn’t just a Vic West issue. Skatepark standardizations and contingency plans weren’t built into old school budgets; It’s time for some T.L.C.
As backstory, I was a member of the Victoria Streetsurf Association that fought to get the original Nathan Gillespie Skateboard built in Vic West, in 1992. That was a tough battle to convince Victoria that public skateparks deserved to exist. Later, I was directly involved in the significant expansion of the skatepark in 2001. While social acceptance had grown, that was an exhausting nine year journey. I have also spearheaded numerous other skatepark developments in the Capital Regional District. To say that I care about skateboarding and skateparks would be an understatement.
Many others share my passion.
In truth, convincing others about the value of a skatepark is different from when I first climbed atop a soapbox. Back then, we were considered troublesome, shunned and not taken seriously. Nowadays, skateboarding is mostly accepted as a recreational pursuit, passed down from parent to child, and even featured in the Olympics. People of all ages, genders and belief systems come to have fun, or to hone a singular trick for personal satisfaction. As a result, skateparks act as a community hub, adhoc daycare centres, a location for events to occur, as well as global destination locations. I feel they can be vital to expressing oneself in a mental and physical way.
In the varying ways a skatepark is designed, built, or how they are used, ie: skateboard, BMX, inline or scooter, the one common thing we can all agree upon is: smoother = better.
To summarize, Vic West Skatepark is a still great place to roll, offering challenge and intrigue to youth and the young at heart, but it needs attention beyond superficial crack repair. Around the city, lightbulbs get changed, potholes get filled and drains get cleared. On parks land, sports fields get maintained on a scheduled basis or fixed as needed, lines get repainted seasonally, sports courts get recoated, etc. While upkeep timelines vary, this maintenance ideology remains intact and unquestioned. I feel it’s time to see the Vic West Skatepark in a similar light; as a long term investment that requires smooth ground for rolling on, falling upon (reduced friction means less torn skin), as well as seasonal proofing for seaside west coast weather.
If you agree, would you be willing to sign this petition to say so?
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Petition created on August 24, 2026