Action Sports Parks Development at Algonquin College

Build a career in the exciting world of action sports with a program unlike any other in Canada.

The one-year Action Sports Park Development Ontario College Certificate program offers a one-of-a-kind learning experience at Algonquin College`s Waterfront Campus in Pembroke. This program provides you with skills that are essential for the design, development or management of action sports facilities, such as:

• resort terrain parks
• skate and ride parks
• dirt jump and BMX tracks
• bicycle skills parks
• purpose-built mountain bike trail systems
• municipal action sports facilities

Learn about construction, maintenance and program planning specific to these facilities. Develop business skills such as event planning, marketing, and risk management to succeed in many areas of the action sports industry.

Spend 40 per-cent of your time in the field training. You have the unique opportunity to explore action sports parks in the Ottawa Valley and learn from real-world examples.

Acquire and practice skills that are relevant to the action sports industry, with courses such as:

• Bike Park Maintenance
• Snow Terrain Park Maintenance
• Sustainable Single Track Trail Construction
• Ramp Fabrication

Upon graduation, benefit from having a certificate that reflects a program unlike any other in Canada. You also earn built-in certifications that can enhance your career options, including safe chainsaw operation and welding.

Graduates may find employment as a(n):

• action sports program coordinator
• snow terrain park staff member
• indoor/outdoor action sports facilities
• trail maintenance crew member
• municipal action sports park
• action sport event staff/coordinator
• action sport facility designer
• four-season resort action sports park and facilities

Graduates may also find work with a park builder using private facilities, contracted-builders and municipalities.

SUCCESS FACTORS

This program is well-suited for students who:

• Have a passion for the action sports industry.
• Have the passion to design and create unique and safe action sports features and facilities.
• Possess good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Have an interest in the outdoors and working with their hands.
• Function well both individually and in a team environment.
• Possess strong problem-solving and analytical skills.

Careers

Graduates may find employment as action sports program coordinators, ski terrain park staff, trail builders, trail maintenance crews, municipal skate park staff, as well as trail and park builders with private facilities, contracted builders and municipalities.

Learning Outcomes

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. Adhere to industry standards and practices to promote safe and enjoyable action sports activities.
2. Mitigate risk by applying strategies to support a safe environment for outdoor activities.
3. Use and maintain construction tools and equipment to manufacturers` standards and safety requirements to maximize use and longevity.
4. Build and maintain action sports structures/features based on specifications and industry-accepted standards for optimal function and safety.
5. Contribute to the planning and delivery of action sports programing and events to deliver a positive user experience.
6. Assist in the promotion of action sports events, programs and facilities to attract customers using appropriate media and promotions.
7. Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.

English Language Requirments

• IELTS-International English Language Testing Service (Academic) Overall band of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each band; OR TOEFL-Internet-based (iBT) Overall 80, with a minimum of 20 in each component: Reading 20; Listening 20; Speaking 20; Writing 20.