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economist sunsuntribune recreation saturday june 18 2005 31 image skate parks welcomed by parents across york region by patrick mangion staff writer part of skateboardings appeal has always been a steadfast reluctance to conform as depicted in the documentary dogtown andzboys the inspiration for the lords of dogtown a film chroni cling the early days of the sport skate boarding emerged as a counter culture thanks in part to skateboarders insatiable appetite for making public buildings and spaces their playground it has remained just that for the better part of three decades a rebuke at the mainstream but things are changing six of york regions nine municipali ties have a skateboarding facility in vaughan the sports village on rutherford road is the venue for what many skaters consider yorks mecca of skateboarding facilities complete with a towering half pipe once considered punks aboard road rockets raisingthe collective ire of resi dents and local officials skateboarders are being welcomed into the fold by many towns and cities skateboarding shed some of its anti- establishment foundations by entering the domain of video games movies and madefortv events such as the x- games you might even say municipalities anteing up public money to build skate board parks was inevitable over the past few years newmarket whitchurchstouffville markham and georgina have all built public skate boarding parks a brand new outdoor facility com bined with warm sunny days has brought out the regions north end skateboarders in droves the park at georginas ice palace in the woodbine avenue wexford drive area has been a youth hot spot for months the towns manager of facilities and parks development brock mac- donald said we changed the way we look at skateboarding everybody thought it was a fad that would go away but it has nt its here to stay mr macdonald said we need to provide an outlet for youth activities despite the sweltering weather newmarkets indoor park remains abuzz during its under- 12 weekday skate we changed the way we look at skateboarding everybody thought it was a fad that would go away but it hasnt if s here to stay brock macdonald georgina parks manager davis mcmaster a 20yearold auro ra resident and a staff member at the newmarket park said skateboarders will always take to the street but the indoor park keeps us from dealing with security guards the park draws hundreds of skate boarders from around the region mr mcmaster said during the winter it often reaches its 90person capacity parent tamara pugh likes knowing 11 yearold son sam is in a safe con trolled environment while enjoying his favourite sport its a supportive environment theres no intimidation she said as sam pleads for her attention attempting a manoeuvre on one of several ramps at the gutted movie theatre i think its neat that the kids work here she said free of charge outdoor y park unsupervised it is recornrheiideclchildreri under 10 are accbmpv- riied byanaduitr vc- -v- i helmets mandatory bikes and skatebbanjfngonlyjyr v x20 pieces of equipment total including three quarter pipes and pyra- mid ramps boxes benches and rails open daily frorn jtam to 10 prrijuly and august2 pm to 10 pru weekdays and 9 am to 10 pm weekends fall daily 9 am to 9 pm for more information call 9056401910 centential skateparfc markham centennial community centre bullock drive and mccowan road free of charge outdoor open daylight hours helmets mandatory park is unsupervised it is recommended children are accompanied by an adult inline skaters and skateboarders only for more inforniationcall 9052946111 evolution the sports village vaughan rutherford road east of jane street 7 outdoor helmetsmandatory v half pipe series of smaller ramps and rails open monday to friday from 5 to 9 pm weekends and holidays from 1 to 9 pm summer hours starting in july weekdays 1 to 9 pm for more information call 9057387574 or visit wwwsportsvillageca ffyv4 purchase apart r a4n s22si buy a page published in the marram economist sun j j- suitable for mounting j bright white ifinish fullsize an overnight camp for kids 815 in a beautiful environment our well trained staff encourage and challenge campers to set goals take action experience personal achievement and celebrate success all of our activities including waterfront programs environmental adventures initiative tasks sports and games have the ultimate purpose of helpingyoutli become courteous respectful and responsible s tr for more information call 9058411314 wwwhiddenbayleadershipcampca sportplay kick soccer program wi fun instructional league qualified adult coaches will introduce your child to soccer through playbased skills and modified game play mondays unionville at carlton park carlton rd village parkway 415 500 312 412 year olds 80 500 600 412 6 year olds- 96 summer session begins july 4th tuesdays markham at raybeck park easl of mccowan off raymerville 415 500312 412 year olds 80 500 600 412 6 year olds 96 summer session begins july 5th for complete details wwwsportplayca 9059409481 ill introductory offer limited time only sorneone ybuikhow in the paper buy them a keepsake of i their brush with fame j 9 heritage road marfdiam t v 1 the country pay school offers a sucer kvs currently reviewing applications for september 2005 space is limited the country day school education with balance v is