Skateparks tend to be badly designed and poorly maintained, say ...
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S A T U R D A Y, S E P T E M B E R 1 7, 2 0 1 6
EXTRA
MONTREAL GAZETTE
SKATEBOARDING CAUSES
Étienne Deshaies shows his form in Place du Canada on the monument to Sir John A. Macdonald, unveiled in 1895. J OH N MA HONE Y
Skateparks tend to be badly designed and poorly maintained, say those who prefer to jump off statues, benches and other installations. But that has raised concerns about noise and damage to public property, Shaun Michaud reports. The clatter of skateboarders performing their stunts clashes with the serene urban oasis at Victoria Square. Every day, from his office on the 26th floor of a nearby building, Pasquale Rizzi watches skateboarders pull tricks on and around the Queen Victoria monument, unveiled in 1872. “Take a look at the marble around the statue of Queen Victoria, how it’s been scraped away,” he said. And then there is the noise the youngsters make. Rizzi, who works at Skeye Aviation Systems, feels it’s time the city did something about kids skateboarding in the square. “Sometimes I see them doing
A detailed view of scuff marks on the stone around the Queen Victoria statue at Victoria Square. DAR IO AYALA
Vincent Métivier in Place du Canada. Skating in public spaces is inherent to the subculture, enthusiasts say. J OH N M AH ONE Y
their acrobatics on benches, and what happens is people can’t sit down,” he said. “Even if you approach them and you tell them there are signs all around here that say ‘No skateboarders,’ unfortunately they don’t really care. “I can tell you what they tell me, and it’s not very nice.” The teens who skateboard on city monuments see things differently. A few blocks away, at the recently renovated Place du Canada, teens pull tricks on the smeared step at the base of the Macdonald Monument, unveiled in 1895 in honour of Sir John A. Macdonald, the country’s first prime minister. The skateboarders say the set-up here is perfect. “It’s a pretty long mani-pad,” said François Nadon, 18. “It’s fun and it isn’t too high so we can practise new tricks on it.” A mani-pad is any low platform skaters can ride and perform tricks on. Flanking the cenotaph are two cannons taken in the Siege of Sevastopol during the 1853-56 Crimean War and donated to the city by Queen Victoria. Julien Degrosbois, 17, said no one objects when he and his friends roll down the dark metal war relics. “Most are curious and they take photos and they’re happy,” he said. “Like, we don’t bother people generally.” But critics say the skateboarders are damaging public property. Long black smudge marks on the edges of stone slabs are a telltale sign of grinding — when skaters slide their boards over straight flat surfaces. “It’s wax. It’s made precisely not to damage (surfaces) and it slides,” said Léo Schmitt-Laurin, 16. “It’s ugly but it doesn’t damage it,” chimed in Tiago Grote, also 16, who has no time for those who complain. “We tell them to mind their own business and leave, and if they’re not happy with that answer, they can call the cops.” Skateboarders can face fines of up to $1,000 for making use of street furniture or other public installations for reasons other than their intended purpose. Since the beginning of the year, dozens of tickets have been given across the island, according to Montreal police.
S A T U R D A Y, S E P T E M B E R 1 7, 2 0 1 6
EXTRA
MONTREAL GAZETTE
SKATEBOARDING CAUSES
Étienne Deshaies shows his form in Place du Canada on the monument to Sir John A. Macdonald, unveiled in 1895. J OH N MA HONE Y
Skateparks tend to be badly designed and poorly maintained, say those who prefer to jump off statues, benches and other installations. But that has raised concerns about noise and damage to public property, Shaun Michaud reports. The clatter of skateboarders performing their stunts clashes with the serene urban oasis at Victoria Square. Every day, from his office on the 26th floor of a nearby building, Pasquale Rizzi watches skateboarders pull tricks on and around the Queen Victoria monument, unveiled in 1872. “Take a look at the marble around the statue of Queen Victoria, how it’s been scraped away,” he said. And then there is the noise the youngsters make. Rizzi, who works at Skeye Aviation Systems, feels it’s time the city did something about kids skateboarding in the square. “Sometimes I see them doing
A detailed view of scuff marks on the stone around the Queen Victoria statue at Victoria Square. DAR IO AYALA
Vincent Métivier in Place du Canada. Skating in public spaces is inherent to the subculture, enthusiasts say. J OH N M AH ONE Y
their acrobatics on benches, and what happens is people can’t sit down,” he said. “Even if you approach them and you tell them there are signs all around here that say ‘No skateboarders,’ unfortunately they don’t really care. “I can tell you what they tell me, and it’s not very nice.” The teens who skateboard on city monuments see things differently. A few blocks away, at the recently renovated Place du Canada, teens pull tricks on the smeared step at the base of the Macdonald Monument, unveiled in 1895 in honour of Sir John A. Macdonald, the country’s first prime minister. The skateboarders say the set-up here is perfect. “It’s a pretty long mani-pad,” said François Nadon, 18. “It’s fun and it isn’t too high so we can practise new tricks on it.” A mani-pad is any low platform skaters can ride and perform tricks on. Flanking the cenotaph are two cannons taken in the Siege of Sevastopol during the 1853-56 Crimean War and donated to the city by Queen Victoria. Julien Degrosbois, 17, said no one objects when he and his friends roll down the dark metal war relics. “Most are curious and they take photos and they’re happy,” he said. “Like, we don’t bother people generally.” But critics say the skateboarders are damaging public property. Long black smudge marks on the edges of stone slabs are a telltale sign of grinding — when skaters slide their boards over straight flat surfaces. “It’s wax. It’s made precisely not to damage (surfaces) and it slides,” said Léo Schmitt-Laurin, 16. “It’s ugly but it doesn’t damage it,” chimed in Tiago Grote, also 16, who has no time for those who complain. “We tell them to mind their own business and leave, and if they’re not happy with that answer, they can call the cops.” Skateboarders can face fines of up to $1,000 for making use of street furniture or other public installations for reasons other than their intended purpose. Since the beginning of the year, dozens of tickets have been given across the island, according to Montreal police.
