In 1994, Lewis Park got an addition that preteens, teens and young adults all embraced - the Lewis Centre Skatepark.
Clinton Lofkrantz looks back at that time with fond memories. So much so that he has started a passion project, a documentary about the fundraising, planning, opening and use of the skatepark.
“I was digitizing all these VHS tapes last year and a lot of the stuff on those tapes was me and my friends at the skatepark and I got to thinking about it… and realized how old the park was. It was 30 last year, 31 this year, it’s probably not going to be around much longer…as they are making new parks,” said Lofkrantz.
Thinking back on all his memories from the skate park, Lofkrantz reflects about the first contest that was held there in 1995 and how his digitizing of VHS tapes could lead to a bigger project for the community.
“There was pretty significant skateboarding happening and a huge crowd for the time. I thought maybe (the video) could be a bigger video, not just the skateboard contest but of all the things my friends filmed and photographed there.”
Lofkrantz remembers skating in the Canada Day parade and fundraising to get the park built.
“I was eight or nine and I skated up 5th Street in the July 1st parade, and we wanted to hold a banner up that said ‘Skateboarding isn’t a crime’ but they wouldn’t let us. I have photographs of that, but people were confused as to why I was in the parade at all (without the banner).”
One core memory Lofkrantz holds about getting the skateboard park built was the fundraising that they had to do. They got some funding from the city, the Rotary Club donated and there were car washes. The part that is missing from any footage Lofkrantz has found relates to having to donate to the Children’s Hospital.
“We had to ask people for money for the skate park to be built, but half the proceeds we got had to go to the Children’s Hospital. The funniest part is that in all the newspaper articles I got from the (Courtenay) museum that were scanned and digitized, none of them mention that. I did have a videotape of me going on BCTV in 1994 with another kid and presenting a giant cardboard cheque for $20,000 to Pamela Martin.”
Lofkrantz has searched for footage of this presentation and BCTV, now Global, does not have any of that footage. They have told him that the tapes were destroyed. Lofkrantz hopes that by putting word out about his passion project, some community members will come forth with their videos, photos and stories of the skatepark.
“The former mayor, Ron Webber, was really a huge part of the opening of the park. There should be a picture of the ribbon cutting and opening ceremony of the skatepark.”
Lofkrantz no longer lives in Courtenay, working in media in Vancouver and California, but he will be visiting in August and his hope is to meet with people who have media regarding the skatepark to help his project take shape.
“I pretty much need anyone to get hold of any photos or videos from the time they spent there. And interviews with people who used the park. I want the documentary to show why it should matter now and maybe lead to the revitalization of the park.”
To get in contact with Lofkrantz if you have anything to contribute, you can email him at: clofkrantz@gmail.com. He will be in Courtenay in August and hopes to add to the documentary then.
