Nickolaj Vincent was instrumental in getting the Station 1 Skate Park in Saint John built more than a decade ago.
Many who knew Vincent, who died last week at age 41, want to see the park renamed and a memorial created in his honour.
Scott Bordage, who was best friends with Vincent for nearly 30 years, is leading the charge and launched an online petition.
“My intention is to pay homage to my best friend,” Bordage told our newsroom in an interview this week.
“His name is already linked to that park unofficially. What could be better than having him etched in stone there for future generations to know that it was him that was trailblazing to make that park,” said Bordage.
Described in his obituary as a “builder and Godfather of the local skateboarding culture,” Vincent had his own skate shop in uptown Saint John.
He was also “influential in the creation, funding and building of the skatepark that is still here for people to use today,” said the obituary.
Thousands of people use the skate park every year, which Bordage believes is one of the larger ones in the Maritimes.
More than 1,400 people had already signed the online petition as of Wednesday afternoon. Bordage said he was caught off guard by just how quickly it gained momentum.
“Nick was well loved and respected by everybody within the skate community here in the city, but I didn’t realize just how far his reach went,” he said.
“I’ve seen signatures from as far away as Brooklyn, New York, and Saint Paul, Minnesota. Frankly, I’m touched and so grateful that so many people have put their names to this.”
As Bordage continues to collect signatures, he has already been in contact with a couple of city councillors about his efforts.
“I will do everything in my efforts that I possibly can to make this a reality.”
