Commissioner Blyth Declares It “Skateboard Week”
Commissioner Blyth proudly holds up the proclamation after reading it aloud at last night’s Park Board meeting. MEDIA: High Res photo available at end of story.
Last night I popped by the Vancouver Park Board office on my way down to 2nd Beach for a swim. I hung out long enough to watch Sarah read the proclamation in (on behalf of Mayor Gregor), officially declaring it ‘Skateboard Week in Vancouver’. It’s quite rare to have the Park Board meeting stop, and make such a declaration. So that’s pretty awesome.
Here’s the official proclamation:
Proclamation for Skateboard Week and Go Skateboard Day
WHEREAS skateboarding is embraced by tens of thousands of young Vancouverites and is an internationally recognized sport that continues to grow around the world.
WHEREAS over the past 10 years, Vancouver has created six new internationally known skateboard parks and relaxed the existing ban of skateboarding in the streets, thereby reinforcing the city’s status as the skateboarding capital of the Canada.
WHEREAS the City of Vancouver has a long history of supporting skateboarding stretching back to Expo 86 where the Transworld Skateboard Championships were held as well as events like the Slam City Jam, which is now part of the World Cup of Skateboarding.
WHEREAS this year, 15 professional skateboarders will be joining over 5,000 young and old skateboarders around the city to celebrate their passion during the annual Go Skateboard Day, which will feature events throughout the city.
NOW THEREFORE, I, Mayor Gregor Robertson, on behalf of the City of Vancouver, do hereby proclaim June 15 — 22, 2009 as “Skateboard Week” to recognize the importance of this sport in our city. I further proclaim June 21, 2009 as “Go Skateboard Day”.
Now, as far as proclamations go… Sure, they sound a little hokey, but they don’t just hand them out for anything. Sarah put some work in on this one, and with special nods to Jay Balmer & former Mayor Larry Campbell for sure, as KK noted in the comments on the last post. While this may seem to be a small thing, it definitely cements (no pun intended) our viability as a legitimate sport and group in the city. Good job to all.
MEDIA: High Res link: Feel free to use this high res photo of Commissioner Blyth holding up the Skateboard Week Proclamation.
