The Pickering Municipal Elections are happening on Oct 24 and advance voting begins on the 17th. More info can be found on the cities website HERE. This is info to help you make your choice.
I've sent the following letter to the Candidates for Mayor, Regional and City Councillor for Wards 1,2 & 3.
Greetings Candidate
The Pickering Skateboard Park Strategy was approved in 2017 and in the 5 years following Pickering has opened one skate spot, The West Shore Skate Spot which just held a ribbon cutting ceremony. The need for action sports facilities is great. Pickering is home to ~2500 skatepark users and most still travel to modern skateparks in Ajax, Uxbridge and Toronto. During the public consultations for the West Shore Skate Spot additional requests were made for skateparks in other parts of the city (both core and rural), pumptracks and multi-use skate pads.
Since the creation of the Strategy, both Skateboarding and BMX have grown due to many factors such as the pandemic (both can be individual activities allowing for social distancing) and their inclusion in the Summer Olympic Games. The new spot in West Shore was budgeted at $200k. It’s not often you can create an Olympic training facility for such a small investment.
How will you address the urgent need for additional action sports facilities when elected?
Thanks and I look forward to your reply.
Scott Loyst
Pickering Skateparks Alliance
For additional background on skateparks in Pickering, follow this link
http://
As I have done other years, here are a summery of the answers I've received:
MAYOR
Kevin Ashe - Agrees we need more facilities. Advocacy works. Mentions Seaton facility and additional spot.
Janice Frampton - States Petticoat Creek is under utilized and could support a BMX park and other amenities.
Bradley Nazar - Increase investment in community infrastructure by directing Casino dividends to a Community Betterment Fund to be used on projects like skateparks.
REGIONAL COUNCILLOR WARD 1
Maruice Brenner - Will ensure action sport facilities are not an afterthought but incorporated into new parks.
Tom Hayes - Has not yet responded
REGIONAL COUNCILLOR WARD 2
Linda Cook - Has not yet responded
Eileen Higdon - Has not yet responded
Ali Marani - Has not yet responded
Gary Strange - Has not yet responded
REGIONAL COUNCILLOR WARD 3
David Pickles - Has not yet responded
Peter Rodrigues -Has not yet responded
CITY COUNCILLOR WARD 1
James Blair -Has not yet responded
Tony Harold - Many additional facilities needed and will advocate by tabling budget submissions so projects are brought to fruition.
Zeynab Kazi - Will push for an Amberlea area skatepark and shorten project timelines.
Raveena Rajasingham -Has not yet responded
Lisa Robertson - Asked me to call - No Answer, has not replied to message.
Karen Sloan - Concerns for lack of planning in regards to increasing population with no facilities to support them. Appreciates advocacy.
Jeanie Soligo - Impressed by advocacy & disappointed with project length. Feels action sports facilities are necessary and will engage in developing parks
Anthony Michael Yacub - Has not yet responded
CITY COUNCILLOR WARD 2
Dave Currie - Has not yet responded
Frank McGillan - Has not yet responded
Mara Nagy - Wants to improve Pickering’s services to the level of Ajax or Markham. Would like to raise Developer Charges (SL FYI - developers pay these charges to build in Pickering. Many other towns & cities use these charges to build parks and park amenities ie skateparks).
Ayesha Sadar - Would like to see a skatepark in ward 2 & the community should not have to wait another 5 years for the next park.
George David Turner - Agrees that Rec facilities are needed but will prioritize projects with the more urgent needs as voiced by residents.
Nancy Van Rooy - agrees more skateparks are needed. Suggests creating a delegation (done) and a committee (done) and start fundraising.
CITY COUNCILLOR WARD 3
Shaheen Butt - Did not supply a contact Email. Attempted contact through website.
Ali Naqvi - Has not yet responded
Darshan Sritharan - Has not yet responded
Damian Williams - Platform is to improve the city through Rec programs and Arts. A skatepark in Ward 3 would be beneficial
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