Unique action sports program at Algonquin College in need of applicants
A one of a kind program at Algonquin College in Pembroke, Ont. is looking to boost enrolment ahead of its return this fall.
The Action Sports Park Development Program will be rebooted next semester after being shut down during the pandemic.
On Friday, Colony Skate Shop and School hosted an open house for the program in the hopes of raising awareness.
"Snow terrain parks, bike parks, single track trail systems, skate parks, dirt jump parks, you name it, that's what our students come here to learn to do," said Cameron Dube, the program's coordinator.
"Historically, we've been between 15 and 20 (students per year), and we'd love to hit that target again."
Skate shop co-owner Tanner Hogan says Pembroke is unique in that it is the only community in Renfrew County with a concrete skate park. He adds that the relationship between his store and the college needs to be there for the local skateboarding community to thrive.
"Right now, we're trying to bump the numbers up and get enrolment because we were always excited to work with the college," Hogan tells CTV News.
"The amount of dedicated, educated, and available workers in this industry is probably suffering because not enough people think that this is a valid career choice."
Mathieu Faucher, 17, of Pembroke came out to Friday's open house - he regularly skates at Colony's indoor ramp. He says he's not exactly sure what he wants to do once he graduates high school.
"I really need to go to college and I want to learn about something, and learning about something that's related to all my interests that I'm having right now would be awesome," Faucher said.
Dube says that the unique program offered at Algonquin College's Pembroke campus cannot be found anywhere else in Canada at the post-secondary level.
Dube is hoping the local recruitment efforts will be enough to sustain the program in its first year back.
"Our graduates have landed jobs all over the world from building concrete skate parks in Egypt to working at all the famous resorts out west, driving groomers, terrain park groomer operators," says the program coordinator.
"As far as sustainability goes, people need to know that this is the only program available of its kind," adds Hogan.
"If it didn't exist, you wouldn't be able to get this kind of post-secondary education anywhere else."
As for Faucher, he feels lucky that the program of his dreams is available in his hometown, but his college hopes are riding on the fact that enrolment numbers prove the interest out there.
"Maintenance of skate parks and building of skate parks and helping with all that planning, that would be really cool to get a permanent job in that field."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.