PENHOLD – Brenda Mahoney has her eyes set on spring 2019.
That is the hoped-for time frame sought by the Penhold and District Optimist Club skatepark committee to begin building the long-awaited proposed new skatepark.
The committee made a presentation to Penhold council at its regular meeting on Feb. 12 to provide an update on the project.
Council did not make any decisions following the presentation, but moved to send the skatepark information to the next council workshop in March for further evaluation and information.
Over the past year the Penhold skatepark committee has raised $24,000 for a current total of $48,000.
"It’s not been easy to raise this kind of money that we need, yet we’re now looking at the final stages,” said Mahoney, skatepark chair. "If we can raise $200,000 by summer’s end we’ll be able to apply for a matching grant for a total of $600,000. Our plan to (raise) this amount is attainable with help,” she added.
Mahoney requested council assist the committee this year by waiving future town rental fees, waiving full-page newsletter article fees, and granting approval for a (charity) check stop fundraising event at the end of April.
Mahoney also asked the town for a financial commitment.
"We would like to request the Town of Penhold to commit financially to the skatepark,” she said. "At this time, to commit to matching all fundraising money raised dollar for dollar.”
At the council meeting Mahoney was joined by Trevor Morgan of New Line Skateparks Inc., who was on hand to answer council members’ questions about the project.
Councillors inquired about successful grant applications (for skateparks) from other communities in Alberta, whether or not New Line Skateparks Inc. will assist with the grant application process, questions regarding the CFEP (Community Facility Enhancement Program) grant and possible funding opportunities from Red Deer County.
Morgan also provided a brief overview and background on the Penhold Skatepark project.
The estimated cost of the Penhold skatepark is $600,000 and it will be about 10,000 square feet in size. It will include a centrepiece logo depicting the town’s quill.
"I think with other (skatepark) developments happening in the region and the (2020) Olympics coming up, it’s a good time for this type of initiative to get some exposure,” said Morgan.
In the meantime, Mahoney remains optimistic.
"We’re really hoping that by matching dollar for dollar it will encourage a lot more people to show support (for the skatepark project),” said Mahoney. "We can do this. I know we can. We’re not giving up.”
Brenda Mahoney, skatepark chair
"We're really hoping that by matching dollar for dollar it will encourage a lot more people to show support (for the skatepark project)."
