Media Releases

Amherst making skatepark more user-friendly with sun shelter, fountain

The Town of Amherst has made the Amherst Lions Skatepark more user-friendly by installing a sun shelter and an outdoor drinking fountain at the outdoor recreational facility.

“Council is always seeking ways to improve our facilities and this improvement was suggested to council by the users of the skatepark,” Mayor David Kogon said.

“Council believes their suggested improvements will make the skatepark an even better place for our citizens to be physically active, which will help us in our effort to be among the most active, healthy communities in Nova Scotia.”

Since its inception 11 years ago, thanks to the assistance of the Amherst Lions Club, the skatepark, located next to the Amherst Stadium on Church Street, has been a busy spot during the warmer months. However, there was no place for participants to get out of the sun on hot summer days or get a drink of water.

“This project fixes that,” the mayor said. “It will provide an area where the users of the park can be protected from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays and the drinking fountain will provide the means for the users to stay hydrated, which is important when you are physically active.

“And we want to encourage our citizens to be physically active as that means a healthier community.”

The 10-foot-by-10-foot sun shelter has been constructed on a 14-foot-by-14-foot concrete pad. A bench, where skaters can rest out of the sun, has been installed under it. All of the work on the shelter and fountain was carried out by the town’s Public Works staff.

The project cost about $10,000 and is being funded through the town’s general operating budget.