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Qualicum Beach cinema society and skatepark advocates plan ‘Terror in the Square’ film nights

Second night set for Feb. 18 at 5 p.m.
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There was a gathering of skate boarders and BMX youth and adults to bring attention to the need for updates to the existing QB skatepark on Friday night, Sept. 15. (Michael Briones photo)

Fans of skateboarding and cinema will have an extra chance to check out “Terror in the Square” in Qualicum Beach this month.

Qualicum Beach Multi-use Cinema Society and Qualicum Beach Skaters have collaborated to show the award-winning 2002 skateboarding documentary Dogtown and Z-Boys at French Press Coffee Roasters (694 Primrose St.) to raise awareness about the need for both a new skatepark and a community cinema.

When the initial Feb. 11 show sold out within hours, they decided to schedule a second night on Feb. 18 at 5 p.m. The evening will also include showings of two film shorts from The National Film Board: The Devil’s Toy (1966) and The Devil’s Toy Redux Victoriaville (2015).

The event’s name refers to a newspaper headline from years ago, when downtown Qualicum Beach was over-run with skateboarders doing tricks (or so the legend goes), according to Qualicum Beach Multi-use Cinema Society’s website.

The Qualicum Beach Skaters adopted the tongue-in-cheek slogan as they campaign for a safe, updated skatepark.

READ MORE: Owner of Canada’s oldest skateboard shop sets up new business in Qualicum Beach

The cinema society has advocated for a community cinema since about 2018, according to Marah Carnes. A community cinema’s purpose is to better the community as a whole, rather than make money, she added.

“It’s not like going to a cineplex, or to Nanaimo to one of the big multiplexes,” Carnes said. “A community cinema is really there to kind of tailor their programming to support or reflect what is important to a community.”

Carnes reached out to Lindsay Reed, of Qualicum Beach Skaters, about a partnership that could benefit both organizations, while providing entertainment for residents in the evening.

Reed said the group’s experience with the town and advocacy for a new park has been very positive and the members look forward to hearing how the skatepark fits into the town’s strategic plan.

“I think it’s still a long road ahead to actually get to having a skatepark, that does take some time,” she said.

Carnes and Reed said they are thankful to support from PD’s Hot Shop (164 2nd Ave W) and French Press Coffee Roasters.

Doors open at 5 p.m. for seating and concession, with showtime at 5:30 p.m.

Tickets are $7 and available online. Children under three free, provided they are sitting on an adult’s lap.

No ticket sales at the door. Seating is limited.


kevin.forsyth@pqbnews.com

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