SKATEBOARDERS are a pain, right? AN that atti-
tude and baggy clothing with too many pockets prob-
ably concealing cans of paint to be used for
defacing public property with incomprehensible
squiggles. Well, that’s one point of view. Extreme, cer-
tainly. But held by a number of people we interviewed
on the subject. Another viewpoint, alveit a minority
one, comes from the kids themselves and, thankfully,
some parents. This one says it’s surcly safer to have the
kids skateboarding in parks and plazas than out on the
street. Of course it is, but does that mean it should be
open season on every bench on the North Shore if

young athletes want to test their ability to “grind.” North Vancouver City council
wrestled with these questions last week and decided that the issues of safety and
damage to a new civic plaza valued at some $800,000 needed action. The result: a
banishment of skateboards from all public open spaces, plazas and other city prop-
erties. Offending boarders face a $50 fine and confiscation of their skateboards.
Meanwhile, council is now asking staff to investigate the liability issue of toddlers
playing in the water pools and fountains so that “no wading” signs can be removed.

NORTH SHORE DEMOGRAPHICS

Horseshoe Bay 66%

Dundarave/Ambleside
British Properties

Norgate/Pemberton Heights
Capilano/Delbrook Hightands

Lower Lonsdale

Central and Upper Lonsdale

Lyna Valley

NO NO DON’T
OPINION KNOW

24% 5% 5%

23% 7% 12%

31% 14% 6%

16% 0% 15%

28% 53%

28% 3%

28% 0%

14% 1%

YES

58%
49%
71%
62%
59%
65%
69%

Biueridge/Deep Cove 66% Yo 5% 1%
COMBINED AVERAGE

- 63% 23% 5% 9%

Pat Post

North: Vancouver

If they’re respectful, maybe
its OK as long as they’re
not interfering with older
people sitting on the bench-
es etc. IT have a nine-year-old
and I have some sympathy.
It’s an issue of respect.

Art Tusvik

West Vancouver

Yes. It’s a danger to the
infirm, the elderly and any-
one else. A skateboard to
the ankle can be crippling.

Pavel Kubiak

North Vancouver

I was never a big fan of
skateboarding but a lot of
people like it. If they don’t
ruin the seats and benches
with graffiti I guess it’s OK.
It’s more dangerous on the
streets for the kids if they
skateboard in traffic.

BC YOU HAVE A QUESTION FOR THE INQUIRING REPORTER? E-mail your comments or question ideas to: martin@nsnews.com

A special
thanks:

We, at Success, would like to thank everyone who helped us
with our move-especially Dr. Elizabeth Henry who currently
practices at our old address (Family Medical, 1912
Lonsdale). She's a great lady and an e:cellent physician.

Now that the renovations are complete (finally!), we would like to invite
everyone down to our brand new shop. We think we’ve improved on our
old one in just about every way possible. Plus there’s lots of parking!

If you would like to book an appointment, please call:

987-2333 mon-sat

Oh, and please don’t worry, while many things about Success have
changed, our Award-Winning® service hasn’t. Hope to see you soon!

“winner of the Reader's Choice Award for Best Pet Grooming ‘96, .'97 and ‘98.