Skateboarding - Slam City Jam - MAYOR DAVE BRONCONNIER PROCLAIMS AUGUST 21-27 AS “SKATEBOARDING WEEK” IN THE CITY OF CALGARY by Boarding.com

MAYOR DAVE BRONCONNIER PROCLAIMS AUGUST 21-27 AS “SKATEBOARDING WEEK” IN THE CITY OF CALGARY…move reflects Calgary’s growing stature as a leading Canadian hotbed for skateboarding and coincides with The Heart of the New West hosting the Slam City Jam skateboarding championships August 25-27, 2006

CALGARY (Friday August 18, 2006) – In a move that reflects Calgary’s emergence as a new Canadian hotbed for skateboarding, Mayor Dave Bronconnier has officially proclaimed the week of August 21st to 27th, 2006 as “Skateboarding Week” in the City of Calgary.

Skateboarding Week in 2006 will take place in conjunction with Calgary’s hosting of the Slam City Jam North American Skateboard Championships, August 25-27 at Stampede Park. Slam City Jam is part of the World Cup of Skateboarding professional tour and is the longest-running skateboarding championship in the world.

“The proclamation of August 21-27 as Skateboarding Week simply recognizes the rise of the sport here in the City of Calgary and what it means as an important element of lifestyle and culture for our young people and young-minded people of all ages,” said Mayor Bronconnier, an active champion of events and activities for the Heart of the New West.

In the Official Proclamation, the Mayor outlines the rationale for the designation of Skateboarding Week: “Canadian skateboarders have brought international distinction to our country with their achievements and Calgary has developed and established a significant skateboard industry including some of the best new skate parks in North America and a thriving skateboard community supported by the City of Calgary Mobile Skate Parks Program.”

There are several new skate parks throughout Greater Calgary which have been built in cooperation with city officials and local skateboarders, and many more are planned for the future.

“We’re proud to be somewhat of a showcase for the local skateboarding community and we’re committed to working hard to help promote Calgary’s reputation as an emerging, dynamic skateboarding centre,” said Kleo Landucci, President of Slam City Jam, which is making its Calgary debut after 12 years in Vancouver. “We see Slam City as a forum for the skateboarding community to come together and celebrate our growth and we’re honoured to be holding the event in conjunction with Mayor Bronconnier’s proclamation of Skateboarding Week in the City of Calgary.”

Landucci is particularly proud of having Slam City Jam welcome international skate icon Tony Hawk to Calgary as part of its debut at Stampede Park. Tony Hawk’s Grand Jam will perform Friday, August 25th.

For three action-packed days, over 100 of the world’s top skateboarders will compete for more than USD $100,000 at Slam City Jam. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.ca or at (403) 777-0633.

Check out www.slamcityjam.com for the latest update and schedule information.