With skateboarders eager for a new skatepark in Stettler, a location has been determined beside West Stettler Park.
At its regular meeting last Tuesday, Town of Stettler council confirmed the park would be located on 62 Street on the south side of the road between the spray park and a baseball diamond, as recommended by Stettler Skatepark Association and Stettler Parks and Leisure Services in consultation with the project company.
Now the town has directed New Line Skateparks to begin steps to design and build the facility, estimated to cost $300,000.
“Parks and leisure services prefers this site, because of the need to keep the existing parking for the ball diamond and the soon-to-be available outdoor rink for basketball, rollerblade hockey and other court sports,” said the town’s parks and leisure services director, Lee Penner.
That view is also endorsed by the skate park association, which supports the south side because that site is not immediately beside roads or parking lots to eliminate traffic and parking.
It’s also farther from the Lions Campground to reduce noise for campers and it’s close to the pathway network for easy access for boarders.
New Line also suggests that location provides ample space and “interesting shape to create more flexible designs and it’s very aesthetic.”
Coun. Leona Thorogood agreed that the location is safest without causing children to cross traffic.
The skatepark association hopes to reach the fundraising goal if its application for $125,000 from the provincial Community Facilities Enhancement Program (CFEP) is accepted, with approvals announced at the end of June, Penner said.
“If we get that funding, we want to start to build the skatepark this year.”
Next month, the skatepark association plans to welcome ideas for the facility during an open house, though the date has not been confirmed.
Under the contract, the company will help determine a location, design the park with suggestions from skateboarders, assist with grant applications and draft strategies for further fundraising and to maintain the facility for the long-term.
With $75,000 from the town, the association continues to raise money.
Since the project began more than one year ago, the association has gained multiple partners.