Wednesday, March 17, 2004

Ketchum OKs
new skate park

Design features two concrete bowls

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By GREGORY FOLEY
Express Staff Writer

If all the stars align right, Ketchum residents could have access to a state-of-the-art skateboard park before the end of the summer.

Ketchum City Council members on Monday, March 15, unanimously agreed to direct City Administrator Ron LeBlanc to draft a building contract and financing agreement for a planned $253,000 reconstruction of the Guy Coles Skate Park.

The skate park is located at the intersection of Warm Springs and Saddle roads. The seasonal facility currently comprises temporary structures and features.

Ketchum Parks and Recreation Director Kirk Mason on March 1 proposed a new park that includes two concrete bowl features, one with an hourglass shape and another with an irregular-square shape. The plan also calls for enhancing the landscaping of the site and building a bridge to link the two bowl features.

Mason has tentatively arranged to contract with Oregon-based Dreamland Skateparks—which participated in the design—to manage construction of the facility. Dreamland Skateparks was a key partner in the development of the Hailey Skate Park.

Mason said the project –which could start in May—probably would take six weeks to complete.

Council members all voiced support for the project but could not agree definitively on how the park should be financed.

"I just want to see the city commit to it," said Councilwoman Terry Tracy.

Council President Randy Hall said he does not want the city to borrow money for the park.

Two separate skate park funds can provide a cumulative total of $29,000 for the project. An additional $25,000 could come from money slated in the 2003-2004 budget for a new Ketchum teen center.

Council members at their April 5 meeting will likely decide whether they intend to borrow $150,000 or a larger sum—closer to $200,000—to help pay for the project.

Some city officials have expressed concern that fund raising for the park would come to a halt if the city commits to paying the entire balance of the costs.

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