South River is aiming to open its first-ever skateboard park July 1.
Council has also agreed to name the facility the South River Skateboard Park, even though the local Lions Club carried out major fundraising activities over the past year to make the park a reality.
In a letter to council, the Lions explained that if the club is associated with the park's name the members are worried the club could be held liable if there's an accident at the facility.
So even though the Lions carried out most of the fundraising and will also be responsible for laying down the concrete pad for the skateboard ramps and rails, it's the municipality that will own the park.
However, it will also be made very clear to users and the general public that the Lions were a major part of the project.
A sign will list the names of sponsors and donors for the park.
Featured predominantly at the top of this sign and in larger letters will be the name South River Lions Club.
Clerk-administrator Don McArthur says the size of the names will be based on the size of the sponsorship.
“Any $200 donation or more will be recognized on the sign,” McArthur said.
“It's a fairly long list of names because more than 20 people and organizations made donations.”
When originally proposed, the goal was to raise $50,000.
McArthur didn't have an exact figure at this time, but said the target had been surpassed.
A major reason for that was a recent and significant donation from Hydro One of $5,000.
That additional money has helped to replace one of the ramps with a more sophisticated pyramid ramp coupled with a grind rail.
The pyramid ramp allows users more access points and offers skateboarders more challenges.
McArthur says the equipment has been ordered from Canadian Ramp Company, which specializes in skateboard parks. It should arrive in four to six weeks.
For years, South River has tried to create a skateboard park for young people and all efforts failed until last spring when Zachery Wilson of Machar, who is also a skateboard enthusiast, developed a concept that would work for a community the size of South River.
Wilson said an elaborate park that features deep wells skateboarders can use to pick up speed and become airborne start at $250,000 which is already well beyond the means of South River.
Wilson's idea was to design a park that would be usable and practical in an area the size of South River.
Not counting what it will cost to prepare the land and install the concrete pad, the Canadian Ramp Company equipment has a price tag of just more than $43,000 which includes installation and is well within the original fundraising target.
McArthur says the Lions have begun the preparatory work to ready the site for the skateboard equipment.
The facility will be located at Dufferin Street Park.
At this time McArthur says it's not known what the plans are to have a grand-opening to herald the park's arrival because the goal is to have it ready for kids and young adults in time for July 1.
The park is also expected to be used by young people from Machar and Sundridge.
Residents and businesses from both these two communities also donated toward the park.
- Rocco Frangione is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of the North Bay Nugget. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
