Thunder Bay is all about the kids...bring your bike!

Oct 28, 2008

The City of Thunder Bay, Ontario has seen a lot of hardship over the past few years, with over 20 000 people employed in the forestry industry having lost their jobs in the region. For a long time, people here were feeling pretty down, and a large number moved to seek employment in the Promised-land of Alberta and the West. Recently, however, things have begun to take turns for the better, as a shift from a resource based economy to a knowledge based one has resulted in many new technology and medical firms setting up shop in the area. Because of this, the City has taken on a new vision and is looking to attract younger, professional types and their children, as well as retain the youth already living here by giving them more options with regards to recreation and employment...

The most major development in Thunder Bay in this regard is the almost completed skate-plaza just meters from the shores of Lake Superior in the heart of Thunder Bay's marina and waterfront park, Prince Arthur's Landing. This skate-plaza has been one of, if not THE MOST, hotly contested and debated developments in Thunder Bay's history, and even now as the final pours of cement are drying, some people are still fighting and grumbling about the location and suitability of the plaza.

The skate-plaza is a 25 000 sq. foot development that features a pool, various stairs and quarter-pipes, a rideable "Sleeping Giant" (the Sleeping Giant is a small mountain range across the harbor that looks like a "giant" lying down. It was voted "People's Choice" in CBC's recent "Seven Wonders of Canada" contest) and several spectator and artisan areas where local artists will be able to showcase their work among the ramps and features.


The skate-plaza has been anxiously awaited for by the City's youth, and is set to open in the next few weeks. Unfortunately, we live in Northern Ontario, so there may well be snow on the ground at that point, but it'll be ready and waiting in the spring! The park is open to BMX and MTB as well, so make sure to put Thunder Bay on your list of must-ride street spots for next summer; we're on the way to Whistler and the West for all you Easterners, so you might as well get some riding in at Canada's midpoint! Grand opening for the skatepark has just been pegged at Nov. 1 from 12 noon to 9pm, just days away...

ANOTHER, and potentially just as exciting recent development in Thunder Bay is the rebuilding and promotion of the "Jumbo Gardens BMX Park" or "Toivo," as the locals call it. This CITY-OWNED AND OPERATED dirt jump facility on the North side of town has been neglected for years, but this summer and fall a few determined riders have brought the park to the forefront of the City's concerns, and major improvements are taking place there weekly. These riders, most of whom are active Pinkbike members, have worked with the City's Recreation division to secure thousands of dollars of specially mixed dirt for the re-build, and at this point the City has paid for a large loader and operator to be at build days a total of 4 times, with more to come! Erik Tremblay, a local teen and bike shop employee, has been especially involved in the process, being the liason between the City and the riders and coming up with park layouts and build day schedules. If it were not for his work, there'd be a lot less happening at Toivo.


Although there has been some "discussion" about what the final design will ultimately look like, it has basically been settled on that the park will feature a large number of various-sized tabletops (insurance companies don't like to deal with gaps) and DJ lines, with a BMX track winding its way around and through the park. The track is being built to ABA standards so that membership, insurance and race sanctioning will be available, with the hope of holding ABA sanctioned races as soon as next summer. An electronic start-gate is being donated by a local business, and the riders and City are currently looking at the possibility of including lights around the perimeter of the park for night jumping and races. It is said that the inclusion of lights is almost guaranteed at this point.

Here are some pics of the build days thus far:


It is almost unbelievable to see the amount of resources and energy the City of Thunder Bay is putting into the expansion and improvement of amenities aimed at the City's younger, active crowd. When talking with Paul Fayrick, Coordinator of Park Planning, he said that if Thunder Bay wants to retain its youth, which is a major priority and past problem, then it must provide safe and enjoyable recreational opportunities for them that go beyond traditional sports such as hockey and baseball. He seems about as excited about the developments as the riders! The City is showing that it is committed to being progressive and attractive; most towns that I have heard of have spent the last few decades fighting developments like this (cough Calgary? cough), so we in the Northwest are pretty lucky in this regard.


It is probably a little late in the season now, but be sure to keep Thunder Bay on your radar as a potential riding spot for next summer, as there will be (at least) two prime, City owned and operated riding spots of a world-class nature right in town, not to mention our ever expanding downhill and freeride network of trails and stunts on Mt. Mckay and in the surrounding area. The City is making it clear that it is on the side of its youth, and continues to put its money where its mouth is. If this sounds a bit like a tourism promotion, well then I guess it is!

Come ride with us next season and see if I'm lying...

Peace,
Nik