The estimated price tag for the Town of Sidney’s proposed new skateboard park has come down considerably since the summer.
For around $399,800, the Town is planning to replace its existing facility near the Mary Winspear Centre, with a new one at Tulista Park. Already the site is being readied for construction next year.
In mid-July, the municipality had considered spending $700,000 on the project. In late October, that figure was almost cut in half for site preparation, concrete forming, placing and finishing, as well as all metal works. It will be funded by the Town, after the municipality was not successful in obtaining grants to offset the cost.
Mayor Steve Price wrote in an email to the PNR that Town staff and consultant NewLine Skateparks will continue to seek out grants.
Price wrote that Sidney still plans on using its gas tax revenue to fund the entire project. Any additional grants or other monies would help offset the overall cost to the Town.
To help pay for any extras to go into the new skate park, the Town is asking the community and corporate sponsors for help — either in cash or in-kind donations.
Municipal staff are working out the details of a skate park donation initiative. It will allow individuals or corporations to contribute to additional park amenities such as construction materials, benches and even the overall name of the new park. The initiative would be for construction items only, not for ongoing maintenance of the skate park.
Donors to the park would also be eligible for a proposed recognition program at the site.
The Town will be working out the details of the donor initiative soon. Watch for more at the Town’s website, sidney.ca.
