“I feel like my heart could burst.” — Sandra Williams
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The negative stereotype of figure skaters may finally be changing, says the mother of an avid figure skater who died unexpectedly of cardiac arrhythmia in October 2020.
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Sandra Williams has spoken out after Surrey rejected her request for a memorial bench in her son’s honor at Cloverdale Skate Park due to concerns about vandalism.
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“I told them I was very hurt by their response,” said Williams, whose son, Christopher Robbins-Williams, was 28.
After a Postmedia story about the rejection of the bank’s proposal, nearly 10,000 people across Canada signed a petition urging Surrey to reconsider.
It was enough to push Surrey in a new direction. Williams got the call two days ago that the city had agreed to put up a memorial bench near the skate park.
Ironically, Williams said, the city suggested that the bench be placed exactly where she had proposed, on a grassy area overlooking the park.
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“I never wanted it on the road or in the skate park; we know skaters like to find things to jump and grind on,” said Williams.
She had sent an overview photo of the skate park with an X on the grassy area where they hoped to have the bench.
“They selected the spot that we had marked,” Williams said.
Williams said the feedback they’ve received from friends and strangers who signed the petition has lifted her spirits, as has Surrey’s decision to allow the bank.
“I feel like my heart could burst,” he said.
Ola Muniak, one of the owners of the Club 57 Skateboard store in Surrey, a favorite hangout for Chris and other youngsters, said the stigma around skateboarding is changing.
“Skateboarding has come by leaps and bounds, it’s included in the Olympics. it’s a sport. But there’s still a way to go to break the stigma that skaters are hooligans, criminals and troublemakers,” said Muniak, who had known Chris since he was a teenager, “Chris was a kind, caring, generous, humble and kind to everyone.”
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“Anyone with children who skateboard will say that the community is really unique and really special.”
Part of that skate culture is hanging out for the right reasons, including mentoring and helping others.
“You can go to any park and see children up to six years old skating alongside adults; that support between generations is one of the most beautiful things. A teenager will touch the board for him and cheer on a little kid who just did his first trick,” Muniak said.
For Williams, the bench will be a step toward recovery from an unexpected loss, and for the community, a place to share the sport Chris loved.
The spot on the lawn adjacent to the park where the bench will be placed next spring is where skaters hang out to do what Chris loved to do, spread out blankets and set up chairs to watch and cheer others on.