Skatepark graffiti concerns voiced at recreation board

By Greg Price
Taber Times
gprice@tabertimes.com

Graffiti has become a concern with a recent incidents of it at the Taber Skateboard Park.

Taber Recreation board members were informed of it in a manger report at the board’s March 5 meeting.

“There’s has actually been two incidences of graffiti that have been reported to the Taber Police,” said Aline Holmen, recreation manager for the Town of Taber. “(This week), it’s at the top of the list to get it removed. Police are aware of it and are monitoring the situation. It’s bad. It’s probably the worst we’ve ever had, but considering we’ve only had six or seven incidences of graffiti since 2007.”

Holmen added Taber has been extremely lucky compared to other municipalities when it comes to overall graffiti incidences at skateparks.

“Usually we are very quick to get it off, but it’s taking a little longer because of the season where we have been having warm weather, cold weather, warm weather, cold weather,” said Holmen.

“A lot of the skaters actually don’t like it and they probably know who it is, but they won’t come forward.”

“If you take it away from them, they will, and you can quote me on that,” said Wijna in response, noting the possibility the town could take of shutting the skateboard park down if graffiti continues.

“This is money being wasted again (in clean up) that could be used elsewhere. It’s expensive to do, you can’t just use a high-pressure washer to take it off. And it’s dangerous for kids to skate on (the graffiti) because of how slippery it makes it. ”