Supporters of the new Sundre skatepark project got a first look at the proposed design of the facility last week.
The $170,000 park is being proposed for an open area west of the Sundre AquaPlex parking lot along the Bearberry Creek.
About 60 people, including many young skateboarders, attended the open house at the River Valley library on March 28. During the meeting several drawings were unveiled by New Line Skateparks Inc., a Calgary company that has designed and build dozens of parks in the province and elsewhere.
Much of the new design drawings reflect input gathered from Sundre youths and others at an earlier Sundre workshop.
The park proposed would have about 4,000 square feet of skate area and would include numerous elements such as rails.
The Sundre Skateboard Project Committee, which was formed in February, is overseeing the project, hopes to raise $170,000 through a variety of sources.
During a town council meeting last month, Sundre town councillors agreed to designate the parcel of land south of 2nd Ave. N.W. and south of the rodeo grounds for the project. That will allow the committee to proceed with fundraising efforts, including grant applications, and to erect a sign at the site.
After seeing the new design drawings guests in attendance at last week's workshop made written comments and suggestions, which will be compiled and considered for revised drawings to be presented at a follow-up meeting in a few weeks.
“We see this as a grass roots effort, involving all members and sectors of our community,” said committee member Bill Lough. “We intend to be imaginative in our fundraising and have the youth involved at all levels, from fundraising to construction.”
According to a proposed budget presented during last week's meeting, fundraising goals will include $15,000 raised by youth; $15,000 by private donations; $25,000 by corporate; $20,000 in kind, $10,000 county and municipal grants; and $85,000 from governments. A trust account has been set up to hold donations in trust.
Fundraising projects being proposed include a skate-a-thon, bottle drives, concerts, parades, and barbeques. Fundraising at the local level will be getting underway right way, said Lough.
“We've already started at the corporate level and we've been pleased with the response so far,” he said.
During last week's meeting organizers put out the call for volunteers to become involved in the fundraising efforts.
Project organizers have already received letters of support from the Town of Sundre, MLA Ty Lund, MP Blake Richards, Sundre RCMP, Sundre High School, River Valley School, Greenwood Neighbourhood Place, Sundre Lions, Sundre Legion, Home Hardware, ATB Financial, and McDougal Chapel.
The next phase of the project will be the detailed design phase, which will include refined drawings, budget planning and working drawings.
“We would like to see it running by the end of the summer or early 2012,” said Lough. He noted that no construction will begin until all the necessary funding is in place.
