A fundraising drive to upgrade the aging Ambleside Skatepark is rolling along thanks to a recent in-kind donation.
Vancouver blogger Bob Kronbauer, who used to work in the skateboard industry in California, heard about the campaign to rebuild the 20-year-old seaside skatepark in West Vancouver and handed over 100 brand new skateboard decks from his personal collection to the Ambleside Skatepark Project.
The decks are currently being auctioned off on eBay.
Peter Sullivan, founder of skateboard and apparel wholesaler Supra Distribution in North Vancouver, and one of the driving members behind the Ambleside Skatepark Project, estimates the online auction could bring in between $5,000 and $10,000. "It's great for us that people can donate in different ways," he says.
So far, the campaign has raised about $60,000 of its $150,000 goal. The bulk of that - $50,000 - was pledged by Supra.
"My goal for that is just to try and give back. Skateboarding's been very good to me and I've been able to create a business," Sullivan says, adding that he's trying to get other skateboard distributors and shops to chip in.
A Go Skate Day fundraiser was held June 21 at Ambleside Park and Sullivan says another handful of events are being planned this summer in hopes of reaching the $150,000 mark by Sept. 1 "That's when the cut-off is if we want to have it completed by springtime of next year," he says.
His vision for the renovated park is inspired by Stoner Skate Plaza near Santa Monica, Calif. "It's by far the most popular park. It just mimics real street-style obstacles that you'd see in downtown Vancouver," he explains.
"They're just very popular obstacles that kids of all ages can use."
The skateboard community was able to weigh in on plans for the redesign at a workshop last April.
Learn more about the Ambleside Skatepark Project at amblesideskatepark.com or make a donation through their Kickstarter crowd-funding campaign here.
