With the rain clearing out today, workers should begin moving dirt this week for the new skatepark to be built at Sunnyside Park (the Whitmire property), located off Highlands Road.
It’s been a long wait since the idea was first presented last summer, but now after securing some initial funding and clarifying responsibilities, the town and JE Dunn are moving forward with support from the Board of County Commissioners and contributions from individuals and local businesses.
Tim Shaw from SK828 and Steve Suttles of JE Dunn gave updates at the April 4 Town Council meeting.
Shaw said they are following up on a grant request to The Skatepark Project (formerly known as Tony Hawk Foundation) and they plan to apply for one of the Nantahala Health Foundation grants, which opened for applications on Monday. The organization has raised $1,000 selling engraved bricks that will be installed at the park, and the GoFundMe page has generated $7,380 in donations.
Shaw said one sign that the park is already making a difference in town is the opening of a new skateboard shop on Highlands Road. “This project has already started stimulating the town’s economy,” he said. “Let’s keep pushing forward.”
JE Dunn, the construction company building the new hospital, came before the Town Council in June 2021 with an offer to help build a skatepark as a way to give back to the community. The com-pany will serve as the general contractor for the skatepark project. Suttles, who lives in Canton, said even if they finish work on the hospital before the skatepark is complete, he will still be available to see the project through.
Suttles said he has been impressed with what the town offers in regard to events. “You guys do something almost every weekend. People here should really be proud of the town that you have and the events you have.” He attended the 80s Flashback Weekend, has run in a couple of 5Ks in Franklin and has already registered for the Braveheart 5K in June.
Construction
The estimated construction cost, including the specialized contractor for the radii on the ramps, is $80,000. The cost of the concrete and rebar is $45,000. The $35,000 the county committed, the SK828 donations and other contributions will help cover that initial materials cost. JE Dunn will donate the labor and is considering a donation of up to $10,000. The Town of Franklin committed $15,000 to design fees, in addition to donating the property for the park.
That leaves a balance of $35,000 for the specialized contractor work. Fundraising will continue with SK828 applying for grants and collecting donations. The Town Council also seemed open to hearing a request if there was a shortfall in funding in the coming months.
According to a report submitted by Town Manager Amie Owens, it is hoped construction will be complete by mid-to-late summer. However, additional work such as landscaping, placement of trash cans and benches, and the installation of the fundraising bricks will need be done after construction.