Representatives from Sk828 came before the Town Council on March 7 to request $35,000 to help pay for concrete and rebar for the skatepark to be built at Sunnyside Park (the Whitmire property).
JE Dunn, the company building the new hospital, offered last summer to help build the skatepark as a way to give back to the community. The company has pledged discounted or donated materials and labor, but the work on the skatepark will need to start before they complete construction on the hospital later this spring.
The town donated property for the park and allocated $15,000 in design fees. The Sk828 group has been actively raising money for the project, collecting more than $10,000 so far.
But more is needed. Town Manager Amie Owens said the cost of the park construction and specialty work is about $120,000 in addition to about $48,000 in materials (including the concrete and rebar request at Monday’s meeting). Sk828 organizer Tim Shaw has requested $50,000 from the county and was set to be on the Board of County Commissioners agenda Tuesday night. The Commissioners have expressed their support for the project but have yet to provide any funding.
Owens said there have been some communication issues with the company about the different entities’ roles in the project and who is responsible for the different aspects of the project. She said the way she understood the original plan was that JE Dunn and fund-raising would cover as much of the project as possible, and then they could come to the town if there is a deficit. She will continue to meet with the representative from JE Dunn Construction and bring more information to the April council meeting.
Sk828 supporter Daniel Lawton said kids have even fewer places to hang out with the closing of the bowling alley and skating rink and not everyone can afford to go to the Fun Factory. “It’s important to fill the need in the community,” said Lawton.
He and John Cisneros said not only will the park give kids a safe place to skate, but it gives them a chance to socialize and make new friends. “It’s more than just something to do,” said Cisneros. “It’s way more than that.” Cisneros said additional fundraisers are planned to support the project.
Council member David Culpepper also sees the importance of giving kids a place of their own. “I think it behooves us to provide a place for skateboarders to go and congregate with like-minded individuals.”
Lawton said the park has been designed to accommodate all levels of skaters and he thinks people will come from other areas to skate at the park. “It’s going to be a draw,” he said. “You’re definitely going to get something out of it.”
While the Town Council reiterated its support for the park and to see it through, they want something in writing that outlines what the town is agreeing to provide and what others are contributing.
Mayor Jack Horton told the supporters that sometimes things in government move slowly and that it may take more time than expected to make the park a reality. “Our board is committed to make this thing work,” he said.
The board did not take any action on the request for additional funding.
The Town Council will meet April 4.