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
Canada Disability Benefit needs to be safeguarded from clawbacks, MPs unanimously agree
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Security guard shot, seriously injured outside of Drake's Toronto mansion
A security guard working at Drake’s Bridle Path mansion in Toronto was seriously injured in a shooting outside the residence early Tuesday morning, police said.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Turfing Poilievre from House a clear sign of desperation by Trudeau Liberals
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
Apple unveils new iPad Pro with 'outrageously powerful' AI-powered chip
Apple is hoping its latest iPad lineup will breathe new life into its sluggish tablet market. In a pre-recorded live streamed event from its Cupertino, California headquarters, the company introduced the latest versions of its iPad Pro and iPad Air tablets, and an all-new Apple Pencil Pro.
Your body needs these three forms of movement every week
Movement is movement, right? Not exactly. Here’s what your body is looking for in addition to your morning walk or yoga session, according to experts.
Testifying in hush money trial, adult film actor Stormy Daniels describes first meeting Trump
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday in the hush money trial of former U.S. president Donald Trump, prepared to testify about a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential election 10 years later.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.