April 17, 2023 – The Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC) and Tourism Thunder Bay are pleased to provide $30,000 in funding support from the CEDC Tourism Development Fund to the Female Boarder Collective. 

The Female Boarder Collective is a non-profit skateboard and snowboard group that started in 2020 as a way to break down barriers for people who identify as female who wanted to learn how to skateboard. The Collective secured an indoor space for their programming and opened the Cinema 5 Skatepark late 2022.

“The completion of Cinema 5 Skatepark, was made possible with the generous contribution of $30,000 from CEDC.” says Vanessa Bowles, Founder and Executive Director of the Female Boarder Collective and Cinema 5 Skatepark.  “Thanks to this funding, Cinema 5 Skatepark is now a reality, providing a safe and inclusive space for skateboarders of all ages and skill levels in our community. The construction of the skatepark aims to promote healthy indoor recreation and foster a vibrant skateboarding culture in our area. Cinema 5 Skatepark would like to express our gratitude to CEDC for their unwavering support and commitment to promoting economic development and community initiatives in our region.”

 “Events attract visitors, especially provincial and national championships. Unique venues and sporting opportunities, like Cinema 5 Skatepark, further Thunder Bay’s capacity to host and attract more events and conventions,” says John Cameron, the Development Officer, Thunder Bay CEDC . “There is potential to grow the local skateboard community as a tourist attraction as well as an Olympic sport with athletes being able to practice and compete year-round.”

“The CEDC is proud to support the completion of Cinema 5 Skatepark,” says Jamie Taylor, CEO, Thunder Bay CEDC. “By supporting the skate park, we are furthering our goal of strengthening year-round tourism and event attraction. The indoor skatepark provides the opportunity to grow the sport of skateboarding and provides the potential to host events year-round.”

Visit www.visitthunderbay.com/tourismdevelopmentfund for more information about the program.