HMI Skate Park in Hope needs $30,000 by April to stay open. Community fundraisers aim to keep this inclusive skate haven alive.
Community Rallies to Save Hope’s Only Indoor Skate Park
Hope’s HMI Skate Park, a hub for skateboarders of all ages and abilities, faces an uncertain future unless it can raise $30,000 by April 30. Financial struggles following a tough 2025 have put the park in jeopardy of closing its doors if it cannot renew its three-year lease.
“To me, this skate park is a place where I belong,” says Brett Devloo, executive director of the HMI Skate Park Society. Devloo, who lost his vision at 16, describes the park as a safe, welcoming space where he can leave his challenges behind and simply enjoy being on his board.
A Vital Space for Skateboarding in the Fraser Valley
Since opening in 2020, HMI Skate Park has welcomed around 700 skateboarders every year, offering drop-ins, lessons, and community events. Many lessons are free or heavily subsidized thanks to generous donations and local sponsorships.
The non-profit HMI Skate Park Society, established in 2023, ensures skateboarding remains inclusive, safe, and accessible—especially for youth and people with disabilities.
“Shutting this park down would be an immeasurable loss,” Devloo adds. “It would make it much harder for people with disabilities to find a space where they can skate safely.”
Stories of Transformation and Community
For many youth in Hope, the indoor skate park has become more than a recreational space—it’s a second home. Instructor Kaleb Lee-Jones shares how skateboarding helped him turn his life around. “Before I started skating here, I got into a lot of trouble. This park gave me a place to belong. Without it, I wouldn’t be skating or making positive connections today.”
Owner and HMI Skate Park Society president Mike “Hippie Mike” Faux has played a pivotal role in creating this safe space. After leaving Surrey to recover from injuries and reconnect with his skateboarding roots, Faux found the perfect location in an old RONA building on 5th Avenue. Since opening the park, he has earned recognition for fostering an inclusive environment, including the 2024 Fraser Valley Cultural Diversity Award.
Fundraisers and Ways to Help
To meet its $30,000 goal, HMI Skate Park is organizing several fundraisers leading up to April:
- Bottle Drive: Feb. 7, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. at 840 5th Ave.
- Mexican Dinner Fundraiser: Feb. 13, 5–8 p.m., featuring Orange Blossom Bistro.
- Blind Corners Screening: Feb. 20 at ALMSGIVING Hope Cinema & Performance House, highlighting Devloo’s skateboarding journey.
Community events like the Annual Backyard Bash also bring skateboarders from across the region together, combining skating, music, and fundraising efforts. Faux hopes these initiatives will ensure the skate park continues to be a place where everyone can belong.
“This park isn’t just a skate park,” says Lee-Jones. “It’s where we find friendship, acceptance, and a chance to thrive. Losing it would be devastating.”
