Kids in Portage la Prairie could soon turn to skateboarding as a way to pass the time throughout Manitoba's long, cold winters.

YFC Portage skateboard programming coordinator Steve Hildebrand tests out one of the mobile ramps purchased to create an indoor skate park at its Tupper St. N location. (photo by Matt Hermiz)

Youth for Christ (YFC) Portage la Prairie is building a new indoor skatepark at its 60 Tupper St. N location, using mobile ramps and rails to finish a space that will be fully heated. Portage Community Revitalization Corporation, Community Foundation of Portage and District, and Portage Plains United Way are all helping fund the project — assisting with the costs of equipment, skateboards and helmets.

"The idea of this is a winter space," says YFC skateboard programming coordinator Steve Hildebrand. "In a couple of weeks, we're going to be stuck inside. So we've definitely looked at this project as something kids can use in the winter time."

The target for having the skatepark built is December, Hildebrand says, and he envisions transforming an area that consists now of largely open concrete and cracked walls, into a fully-usable space. And the idea is to have the kids help build that vision.

"We want the kids to come in and help design what the ramps will look like," Hildebrand says. "So they can have input, and it can be built the way they want to ride it."

Hildebrand says YFC wants to offer skateboarding to youth because it's an accessible activity. Once the space is built, all the skateboards are there for use, and those who can't necessarily afford traditional recreation — or avoid it for other reasons — can find comfort riding the rails.

"Skateboarding is definitely something that will attract youth not involved in hockey, or school sports," Hildebrand says. "It attracts the kid who maybe doesn't feel they connect in traditional sports."

"And that's one of the things our organization likes to do," he continues. "Catch those kids who fall through the cracks of regular traditional recreation in the community, and offer them activities."

An indoor skate park isn't exactly a new idea for YFC, either. Hildebrand says when the organization was located at the old Campbell's soup building, there was an indoor space for skateboarding about nine-years-ago. More than 600 youth made use of it, but insurances issues forced the park to close.

He says it's always been a wish of YFC to re-establish a space, and now insurance companies are more open to the idea of an indoor skatepark today.

"We feel like there's not enough activities for youth in our community," Hildebrand says. "So we're always looking at ways to find things that kids can engage in and be a part of in a positive way."

"It also gives us an opportunity to build relationships, and build into kids' lives in positive way."