‘Nothing for the youth to do’

CALEDONIA – Fourteen-year-old Zeke Westhaver has recently begun to get the wheels in motion to build a skatepark in Caledonia.  
“I feel like there’s nothing for the youth to do,” said Westhaver, a Grade 9 student at North Queens Community School.
Shortly before Christmas, Westhaver sent a Facebook message to Kim Masland, MLA for Queens-Shelburne. He also reached out to Coun. Gilbert Johnson, who represents District 7 in the Region of Queens Municipality.
“They thought that it was a great idea,” said Westhaver.
Masland was away visiting her daughter and grandson when she received the message from Westhaver. Masland responded to that message and said they could talk when she returned.
So, when Masland got back, she drove to Caledonia and met Westhaver at school.
“I met with him, and he was very well spoken,” said Masland. “I was totally taken by him just because of his passion for wanting to make sure that there was something for people his age to do in their own community.”
Westhaver has been skateboarding for about four years and says he likes the sport because it’s fun.
“It’s a good use of free time,” he added.
Westhaver has spoken to some of his peers at school, and he says they think it’s a good idea as well. He’s go support, but there are a few things he has to do before a skatepark in Caledonia becomes a reality.
“He really needs to get a group behind him – a community group, so that they can come together with a proposal,” said Masland.
Once the proposal comes together, Masland says she plans to support Westhaver in any way she can.
As far as where the skatepark might be located, Westhaver says his grandfather has offered to donate land near Caledonia corner, but that land would have to be cleared. Westhaver says he is also working on getting leftover skateboarding structures, such as a half-pipe and rail, from Bridgewater.