Its True What They Say....

Everyone has heard the old expression "when one door closes another opens". Well this year, for Toronto skateboarders this phrase is very literally ringing true. Beloved Toronto skate haven Shred Central is going, after thirteen years" the way of the dodo. Thanks to the ravenous and ebola-esque spread of yuppie packed condos, Gymbo Jak is being forced to close the gate, and sell the ramps.

Gymbo Jak-Back Lip

Alix Buck and Matt Ross Doubles Lines

Bs flip lip

RIP\

For seemingly no discernible reason, up until recently, Shred Central has had a complete strangle hold on the the indoor skateboarding market in Toronto. Sure, old Adrift had a back room that was just passible as a skate park, and there was that strange "Ripley's Believe I Or Not" skate park at the docs, but it seemed more like a dance floor, and only lasted two years. So, short of going to Mississauga or New Market, Toronto skateboarders found themselves breaking into abandoned factories, running away from obese and angry security in underground shopping concourses, or jamming them selves into sweaty, slippery gymnasiums to skate home made boxes, kickers and rails for a few hours once or twice a week. So with the closing of Shred Central, Toronto Skateboarders were in a panic. Refusing to go back to their less conventional methods of shredding in lieu of being exposed to the industrial air pollution, trespassing tickets, and frustratingly crammed sessions. The future of Toronto Skateboarding was in peril, at least for a few bone chilling months of the year anyway. This is where Everett Maclean comes in. You may recall the name, he was the driving force behind the highest point in the legendary indoor skateboarding event simply referred to as "Moss". Originally held at Queen and Sherborne, Everett Found a glorious new location, in St Lawrence Market, which lasted for two years. The location Everett found was real, butter smooth concrete, something that no other free indoor park has ever had in Toronto. The location was also considerably larger than any other recreation center park. But thats all in the past now and Everett is on to bigger and better things. Enter the Skate Loft. Previously referred to as Skate shack, the previous name was a direct indicator of the general quality of the joint. Most of the ramps were unrefined bike ramps, as the park had been previously used by BMXs. Full of rats, butts and broken bottles, the derelict location was not a far cry from the abandoned warehouses full of tetanus previously mentioned. Then Everett came upon the place. The Loft may still be a work in progress, and although the park is not open to the general public, it proves very promising for the future of indoor skateboarding in Toronto. Everett treats the place like his baby. With Fresh masonite, a totally new mini ramp, filled in death wholes, a legit sound system, beer fridges, and even floor treatments to decrease slipperiness, I couldn't think of a better person to manage the future of Toronto's indoor scene that Everett.


Front Wallride

back feeble

Front Blunt

Zack Ferguson Tre flip fakie