The Town of Stettler announced plans last week to contribute $20,000 toward an anticipated new skatepark in Stettler.
“We hope to get the construction started in the spring of 2013,” said Danny Missikewitz, a member of Stettler Skatepark Association.
The group has proposed a site south of West Stettler Park by the spray park, though that location hasn’t been confirmed. The current skatepark is located behind the Stettler Recreation Centre.
“Having a (new) skatepark in our community will not only serve to provide recreation to a wide range of youth from all social domains, but also be available to Stettler and its surrounding communities,” said the association president, Shawn Lee.
“Our goal is to start the groundwork next year, and the actual project will take about a year to complete.”
Potential users are warming up for the big day when they can roll in a new skatepark.
“Youth are very excited about the project,” said Lee, who urges young people to get involved as volunteers.
Stettler Mayor Dick Richards was among the town officials on hand last week as the town contributed to the $600,000 fundraising campaign.
“We are very close to our first goal of $75,000,” Missikewitz said. “That’s the mark we need to reach before starting to apply for grants.”
“Once we reach $350,000 to $400,000, we can probably start the construction, and the project will grow from there.”
He said the popularity of skateboarding continues to rise on an international level.
“The sport of skateboarding has seen a long continuum of growth … over the last decade and a half, likely because it’s so accessible to so many kids and youth,” Missikewitz said.
That spirit is evident locally as Stettler strives for a new park.
“We couldn’t have achieved what we have in such a short time without support from the community,” Missikewitz said.
“We have received donations from individuals, private businesses and organizations, ranging from $100 to $5,000.”
Along with more donations, the association is trying to recruit more adult volunteers for the Stettler project, which comes on the heels of a recently opened skatepark in Lacombe.