Montreal is getting a new skatepark in NDG (finally)
It only took 15 years.
A rendition of the new Benny Skatepark.
After about a decade and a half of broken asphalt dreams and bureaucratic skateboarding, NDG youth can finally look forward to flipping their boards in a state-of-the-art skate park.
Mayor Gracia Kasoki Katahwa took to Instagram on April 4, announcing the new design for Skatepark Benny, a project that's long seen wheels spinning in Montreal's political arena.
"It's high time we had a skatepark that meets the needs of the population of Montreal's largest borough," wrote Katahwa. "Next week, at the borough council, we will award the construction contract for this skatepark."
The new facilities will feature boxes and rails for skaters to grind, quarterpipes for launching tricks, and a slightly separated bowl for those looking to carve and practice more fluid maneuvers.
Montreal City Councillor Sterling Downey, an advocate for the local skateboarding community, shared his relief and satisfaction on the project. "This has been a struggle" he commented, acknowledging the efforts that paved the way. "All the years of lobbying, hard work, and community mobilization have finally paid off."
Parents in NDG have long demanded a skate park where children could safely and freely skate. The existing skate park facilities were marred by cracked surfaces and outdated equipment, raising safety concerns for skaters.
Due to the skatepark's deteriorating condition, some youth were compelled to skateboard in the street, or craft makeshift skate spots, despite potential risks.
The call for a new park has resonated since at least 2014, but even with community-led efforts, the project saw little progress for years. To reignite momentum for the cause, NDG resident Jonathan Stein and his son James initiated a new petition in 2021, reaffirming the community's ongoing need for a skate facility.
The following year, after consultations with community organizations, users, and residents, the borough pledged $1.5 million toward renovations. The previous skate park was then partially demolished in September 2023.
Mayor Katahwa has confirmed that the new design will be inclusive, catering to both "young people and beginners." The revamped skatepark is scheduled to open in 2025.