‘A park for everyone’: Pitikwé thrives

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This article was published 11/03/2024 (592 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

When some members of the Winnipeg skate community mutinied against faith-based organization Youth For Christ for their treatment of LGBTTQ+ skaters and staff at the Edge, the skate community stepped up.

Grassroots organization the Manitoba Skateboard Coalition vowed it would open a new park where everyone was welcome to skate during the winter months, and the work soon began.

Cue, Pitikwé Skatepark.

The floor of the sunny space — which was converted from the main floor of Staples inside Portage Place — is dotted with black skid marks from rubber wheels, a sign of the park’s regular use by skaters and bikers. The walls are adorned with colourful artwork and painted skateboards donated by community members and organizations.

“It’s nice to know that there’s a place you can go where your friends might be,” said Pitikwé manager Phil Rosario. “Even if they’re not here, you just come and skate because it’s so fun, and you’ll probably meet new friends, too.”

The indoor park is open every day of the week and sees up to 120 people per day.

In addition to regular skate sessions, women and LGBTTQ+-friendly nights and slots for beginners, the space has introduced paint and beading nights for non-skaters.

“It’s just really good for the community,” said Pitikwé staffer and skater Carlene Sanderson.

Pitikwé’s opening was a relief to Fane Smeall, who manages longstanding skate shop Sk8 Skates.

“When the Edge closed down, it made us feel like, ‘what are we going to do now?’ The past two winters not having a skatepark open sucked,” he said.

“(Pitikwé) is something I felt the community needed as things are changing … having something brand-new open up is definitely good and healthy for our community.”

Smeall praised the work the skate community did to fundraise for the new park. Pitikwé also secured funding from Spence Neighbourhood Association, The Forks and the Winnipeg Foundation to lease the Portage Place space, which they have until April with the option to renew for another year.

After its grand opening in October, Pitikwé attracted skaters from all over the province. Alberta-based pro skater Joe Buffalo stopped by to try out some tricks on the ramps and rails, which were built smaller than most traditional parks to cater to beginners and youth.

“This is a park for everyone, skater or not,” Rosario said, adding admission is free for Indigenous people with the intention to one day make it free to everyone.

The park’s year-round operation is good for the community’s collective mental health, Sanderson said, and its downtown location is prime for attracting inner-city youth with no options for after-school programming.

“I hope we can give more to people and give them positive experiences,” she said.

nicole.buffie@freepress.mb.ca