INSIDE

Skatepark gets off the ground

By Meg Olson

The Point Roberts skatepark project is trying to literally get off the ground, and get local skaters airborne. The slab is in place at the Benson Road location beside Baker Field and proponents are looking for funding for three ramps.

The Point Roberts Parks and Recreation District donated the land and paid $25,000 for the 75 by 100-foot cement slab now in place.

Local supporters of the project raised $5,500 to pay for permitting with donations from the International Marketplace, the garden tour, Whidbey Telecom, Sterling Savings Bank, the Maple Beach Homeowners Association and other supporters.

United Lock Block founder and Point Roberts property owner Jay Drew, best known locally for his formidable Drewhenge entry on Benson Road, donated giant cement highway dividers and benches now at the site.

“I think it’s a good idea,” Drew said, explaining his choice to donate to the skatepark. “The kids down there need something to do.” Drew anticipated his company would donate up to 30 of the 3,000 pound recycled concrete blocks as the skatepark needed them for skate features, spectator seating or to limit site access.

A recent $8,000 donation from International Rotary in Tsawwassen is a healthy start to the latest fundraising effort but skatepark committee member Mark Furno said ramps don’t come cheap. Initial research pointed to a pricetag of $30,000 to $50,000 for pre-built ramps.

“We know it’s cheaper to buy the material and build it ourselves,” he said, and with technical assistance from several experienced ramp-builders they won’t be sacrificing quality. However, the rising cost of lumber is fueling the need for more donations of money or materials.
“We’re looking to raise another $10,000 at least,” Furno said.

The committee is looking for donations of materials as well as money, Furno said, and a “wish list” of needed materials is available by contacting Furno at 945-2144 or stopping by Dockside Cafe. Monetary donations can be made directly into the skatepark fund at Sterling Savings Bank.