|
INSIDE
Skatepark
getting closer
Plans for a Point Roberts skatepark moved a few steps closer to
pouring concrete last month as the county issued permits to build
the concrete slab that will be the foundation for the facility.
“I’m still working on the insurance and right now that’s the key,”
said Point Roberts parks board member David Niles who has been
working with a local action committee to move the project forward.
The Point
Roberts Skatepark Committee raised funds to pay for the permitting
of the skatepark and worked with skatepark afficionado Jeff Hambelton
of Whatcom County Parks and Recreation to come up with a preliminary
design. The Point Roberts parks and recreation department has
agreed to provide the land for the skatepark near Baker Field,
where public restrooms are available, and take responsibility
for the facility once it is built. They have also earmarked $25,000
from their capital improvements fund to build the facility, which
Niles hopes will be matched by a grant from the Tony Hawk Foundation.
The Point Roberts Skatepark Committee has applied in two previous
years for a grant from the foundation but committee spokesman
Mark Furno said he is optimistic their collaboration with the
parks department will improve their chances this year. “Friday
Harbor got it, Orcas Island did, now it’s our turn,” he said.
“The scale
of the thing kind of depends on what we get from the Tony Hawk
Foundation,” Niles said.
“If we had
$50,000 we could build a skatepark that’s really neat. If we don’t
we can still get up and running.” The basic facility if no grant
money comes through this year would be a concrete slab with a
pyramid and a half-pipe, and some added rails and benches. Niles
said as they get more funds, through grants or fundraising, the
original design is big and flexible enough to add new components.
The skatepark committee is continuing fundraising efforts and
donations can be dropped off at Dockside Café or at Sterling Savings
Bank.
Furno said
plans for the park were now out to bid and they hoped to get construction
underway this winter. “I can’t see it taking over a month once
we get started,” Furno said.
BACK
TO TOP
|
