One of the biggest names in skateboarding tried out the newly renovated Smithers Skate Park on May 29.
Tony Hawk, American professional skateboarder, made a surprise visit during the open house for the final phase of the recently completed park.
The Smithers Skate Park Society arranged the demo to celebrate the final phase of its expansion project.
Heritage Park overflowed with people to see the upgrades, and to get a glimpse of Hawk and other professional athletes such as Mark McMorris, Grayson Fletcher and Lizzie Armonto.
Jake Daly, with The Smithers Skate Park Society, said the Power to Give Foundation, a major supporter of the Smithers Skate Park Project, helped bring Tony Hawk to town.
"Power to Give's Founder, Tim Cormode, suggested we bring up Tony, Mark McMorris and the other pro athletes to help celebrate Phase 3 of the project," Daly said.
"At first we thought he was joking... but nope, Mark McMorris has been a financial supporter of the Smithers Skate Park as well through his own foundation, the McMorris Foundation that he runs with his brother Craig. Mark put the invite out to Tony and eventually it all came together."
Daly also said Tony Hawk does not usually do skatepark openings like this one.
"But on the invite of Mark and knowing the involvement of Power to Give, Tony decided that the Smithers Skate Park was a project he wanted to get behind. We all wanted to make this something special for the community, a way to say thank you Smithers for all of the support that folks have provided to make this dream a reality. And what a celebration it was," he said.
The society is planning on finishing the project this year with the third phase which includes lighting, a shaded structure, a sign, a water filling station and landscaping.
Phase two was completed last summer with an eight-foot bowl and transition areas between the phase one and phase two areas.
The original park was built in 1996 and at the time was the only dedicated skate park north of Kamloops.
The upgrades have cost more than $1 million, most of which has come from fundraising, grants and other donations.