Grant pushes Crowsnest Pass skatepark forward

A long planned outdoor skatepark in Crowsnest Pass moved closer to construction this month after the Southwest Alberta Skateboard Society received $475,000 through the Alberta governments Community Facility Enhancement Program large grant.

The society said it was notified of the grant Jan. 9 2026, marking what it described as a major step toward building a concrete all wheels park at Flummerfelt Park in Coleman. New Line Skateparks will build the park after working with the society through planning and design.

The society estimates the project at about $975,000 plus GST. With the provincial funding now confirmed, it said fundraising, in kind support and municipal backing have brought the overall effort to the level needed to proceed.

“With the CFEP grant now confirmed, combined with our fundraising efforts, in kind donations and support from the municipality, we have reached our fundraising target and are in a position to move forward with construction,” the group said.

Municipal support has been a major part of the funding picture, the society said. It reported Crowsnest Pass mayor and council voted in 2024 to provide $400,000 toward the project, then expanded the commitment in summer 2025 to provide funds up to $1 million. The society said council again voted in support of the same agreement in fall 2025 under the current mayor and council.

The society said it has fundraised $575,000 toward the project, including the CFEP grant and more than $60,000 through in kind contributions, community donations and volunteering, not including the municipal commitment.

The CFEP grant, the group said, will be combined with other secured funds to support full completion of a concrete all wheels park at Flummerfelt Park in Coleman. It said that includes core costs tied to site preparation and construction in line with a finalized design developed with public input.

New Line Skateparks has estimated construction could begin around July 2026, with an expected build duration of about 13 to 16 weeks. The group said it expects an updated and more detailed schedule as preparation moves into the next phase.

The design is intended to serve a wide range of users. The society said the park will be for all ages, with a focus on beginner and intermediate riders to encourage safe progression and strong youth participation. It also said it is aiming for a park that is welcoming and usable for as many community members as possible, including thoughtful access and entry points where possible.

Once built, the park is expected to operate like other outdoor public recreation spaces in the municipality.

“As with most outdoor public skateparks, the park will be unsupervised, similar to

 a playground or basketball court, or other public recreation amenities,” the society said. It added safety will be the responsibility of users, with parents and guardians responsible for supervising younger riders.

The society said safety will be supported with posted rules and etiquette signage, along with strong encouragement for helmets and protective gear. Because the skatepark will sit within Flummerfelt Park, it said ongoing maintenance and inspections, which are limited for concrete skateparks, will be handled by the municipality in line with other public facilities. The society said it plans to support stewardship through reporting issues and organizing community cleanup days.

Community consultation has been a major part of the process, the group said. It reported partnering with New Line Skateparks to host two public open houses at the Crowsnest Community Hall, where residents were able to vote on park design and features. The society said it also ran a community survey, attended council and budget meetings, presented to the recreation board and continued sharing updates through social media.

The society said the project addresses a long standing gap following the loss of the Blairmore indoor skatepark when the Albert Stella Arena was condemned in 2019. Without a suitable facility, it said many children and youth ride in unsanctioned areas such as streets, parking lots and storefronts, or travel long distances to other communities for modern skateparks.

The society also framed the project as a broader community amenity, saying skateparks can help participants in skateboarding, BMX, scooter riding and inline skating feel more connected to where they live. It said the facility is expected to support outdoor activity, confidence and youth engagement in Crowsnest Pass.

The group thanked supporters who helped advance the project.

“We would like to sincerely thank our community and beyond for all of their kind words, volunteer hours, donations and shared ideas,” it said, encouraging residents to watch for construction schedule updates as the project moves ahead.