Grand Coulee Skate Park
The Grand Coulee Skate Park Is - Located At The North Dam Park On TheIce Rink Site In Grand Coulee, Washington USA - North Central Washington.
The Home To The Grand Coulee Dam, A Larg Producer Of Hydro Electricity.
 Call it a halfpipe dream, - Bruce Butler would like to see the skate rink at North Dam Park augmented with "halfpipes", and other equipment kids & competitors would like available locally. Click here to bump down to this story or just surf on down to it. The ice rink in Grand Coulee was crossed off of the location list. Click here to bump down to this story or just surf on down to it. Skate park approved locate on present ice rink North Dam Park Click here to bump down to this story or just surf on down to it. *~~ Grand Coulee Skate Park - NEWS! ~~*( All news clips and storys are listed from new to old as they are found )*** Skateboarding Scene Could Grow In The Coulee *** Photo:- Ben Hughes no longer has fluorescent hair, but demonstrates that he can still ride at the SK8 Park at North Dam Park, which hed like to see further developed. Hughes, who currently works for Coulee Medical Center as the patient access manager, says he would like to see the current skateboarding scene develop into a safe but challenging recreational spot for athletes of all ages that may not exactly fit the current school sports options. And hed eventually like to see Lake Roosevelt Schools adopt skating as an afterschool sport, requiring the same academic standards as any of the other sports. For the park itself, Hughes would like to see more features installed, including ramps, a pyramid, a bowl, a rainbow rail, a kink rail, boxes, and stairs, all of which can be used by skaters to perform different stunts and tricks. More than that, Hughes would like to see competitions in the area. Id like to have one to two contests a year that will, hopefully, organically grow into local traditions and annual events, Hughes says. Best Foot Forward is a great small town skate contest tour that takes the best skaters from around the country and gets them to a national competition when the tour ends. ( More ) _______________________________________________________________ *** Grand Coulee Skate Park Issue: Maintenance ***Who is going to maintain North Dam Park is still a question, but the Bureau of Reclamation and the city of Grand Coulee are talking about it. Grand Coulee ended a 25-year lease in 2006, and has maintained the park without a lease for the past three years. ( More ) _______________________________________________________________ *** Grand Coulee Dam Area Visitors Guide 08-09 ***Not to much reportings about the Grand Coulee Skate Park since it has opened. We just happend to find a cool looking photo shot of the Grand Coulee Skate Park on Grand Coulee Dam Area Visitors Guide. Page 55 - A skateboarder uses the new skate park.  _______________________________________________________________ *** Kids Know Better Than To Use Skate Park *** Kids of this area seem to be a little smarter than the adults about the skateboard area. My granddaughter is a little tomboy and loves to skateboard. Well, after [she had been] using the area, I found her out in front of the house skating. I made the comment she should go to the park and skateboard as a lot of people gave their time and money so the kids would have a place to have fun. Well, to find out, the area is used as a place to exchange money for DRUGS. Of course we dont have drugs in this area, now do we. So that is one reason why the kids don't use the skateboard park. Maybe we should hear and see what our kids are telling us or not saying to keep out of trouble. -- Al Jordan Sr. Grand Coulee, Wa CC - The Grand Coulee Star. _______________________________________________________________ *** YouTube Video Grand Opening Grand Coulee Skatepark *** The small town of Grand Coulee, WA located at the grand dam know as Grand Coulee Dam, recently opened it very own public skatepark. MLSC Skateshop was present for the opening ceremonies and proceeded to kill the little park for all the locals. - ( YouTube Grand Coulee Video Source ) _______________________________________________________________ *** Grand Coulee Skate Park Trash A Disappointment *** Photo - Trash at the new skate park. Garbage problems at the new skateboard park could result in the area being shut down for a couple of weeks,according to Grand Coulee Mayor Tammara Byers. She told city council members Tuesday night that she was "very disappointed" in the amount of garbage and cigarette butts tossed around at the park. A lot of people worked hard to get the park and a few are creating the problem, she said. Byers told the council that an elderly man was coming every day and picking up the garbage. She said he is getting about a garbage can a day of material. It shouldnt be his responsibility to pick up garbage, and the city crew shouldnt have to either, she added. The mayor said if the problem continues the city will padlock the gates and close the park down for a couple of weeks. Smoking is not permitted in city parks and Byers said she is going to ask the police to monitor the problem. Fred Long, 83, supplied photographs of the mess to The Star after picking up nearly a garbage can full of trash in one day last week. _______________________________________________________________ *** Grand Coulee Skatepark Supporters Thanked ***Dozens of people of all ages turned out Saturday for the ceremonial opening of Grand Coulee's new skate park, usable since just last Thursday. Complete with a ribbon-cutting by Mayor Tammara Byers and recognition of many volunteers who raised funds for the $33,000 Coulee Area Parks and Recreation District project, the event more anticipated by skaters was the demonstration by a group do Moses Lake skaters. CAPRD Chairman Ted Piccolo said commissioners of the district had not forgotten other priorities voters had in mind when the district was formed in 2002, when many pushed for a swimming pool. "The success of this project is not an end, but a beginning," Piccolo said. Commissioner Karl Pearson called up a dozen volunteers for recognition, including his wife and two young sons who knocked on doors to solicit contributions. Pearson acknowledged the late-campaign contributions of major donors and grants that put the effort over the top, including the Colville Confederated Tribes, Grant Countys strategic infrastructure program, the Northwest Area Foundation and the local municipalities of Grand Coulee, Coulee Dam, and Electric City. The 11 a.m. program took less than an hour, but skate boarders and a few on scooters could be seen at the facility the rest of the day. _______________________________________________________________ *** Saturday Ceremony Grand Coulee Skate Park ***Ribbon cutting for the areas new skateboard facility will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the North Dam Park site, officials said. The park received its ramps from a Winnipeg supplier early morning Sept. 12, and a number of volunteers worked throughout the day to put them in place. Skateboarders had the opportunity to try the ramps out Thursday after school and the park has been busy since. Grand Coulee mayor Tammara Byers has been invited to officially cut the ribbon Saturday. The special ceremonies will include a skateboarding demonstration by Josah Mohs and his team from Moses Lake. Mohs is a Pro/AM-skateboarder who owns the MLSC Skateshop in Moses Lake. After the demonstration, he and his team will stay behind to skate with local skateboarders. The local effort to begin a drive for a skateboard park started late in 2003, after Coulee Dam banned skate boarders in many areas. In 2004, Dale Singer, who originally worked on the project, took his ideas to the Coulee Area Park & Recreation District. District Commissioiner Karl Pearson and his wife Gina took up the challenge and organized a community-wide fund raising plan. It took two years, but fund raisers collected over $33,000 to make the park a reality. The pre-cast modular ramps were cemented in place Sept. 12, and when the mortar was dry on the following Thursday, the park became active. _______________________________________________________________ *** Skatepark Efforts By Many Appreciated ***The Coulee Area Parks and Recreation District would like to thank all the local businesses, organizations, and individuals who supported this community skatepark effort. They gave of their time, money, and donated items for the raffles, yard sales, bake sales, and special fundraisers like the Lovestich Concert, Bowling Mania, Eagles Breakfast, Colorama, and Silent Art Auction. We would especially like to thank the Skatepark Committee, who volunteered hundreds of hours on the fundraising effort for one year to raise $33,000. The core committee members included the following adults and youth: Karl, Gina, Andrew and Daniel Pearson, Carla Marconi and Parks Conant, Cheryl and J.C. Moses, Dale Singer, Candy and Dustin Munger, Tyler Stricter, Shannon Peart, and Shelley Lindberg. Last, but not least, the ramp installation could not have been accomplished without the assistance from the Bureau of Reclamation, National Park Service, and city of Grand Coulee. We hope the skatepark will bring many youth endless hours of recreational enjoyment! Karl Pearson - commissioner. _______________________________________________________________ *** Grand Coulees Skatepark In Place And Ready *** Photo - Workers unload several pieces off of two semi-truck loads Tuesday that were put in place to form the elements of a new skatepark in Grand Coulee. The official ribbon cutting for Grand Coulee's new skateboard park has been set for 11 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 23, Karl Pearson told the city council Sept 5. The park was completed Sept. 12, with the installation of the long awaited concrete ramps that arrived by semi truck from Winnipeg, Manitoba. After a two-day delay to allow mortar to set, skateboarders may start using the ramps on Thursday. At last weeks meeting, Pearson invited Grand Coulee Mayor Tammara Byers to cut the ribbon at opening ceremonies, and she immediately accepted. The ceremony will feature a skateboarding demonstration by Josh Mohs and his team. Mohs is a Pro/AM-sponsored skateboarder who owns the MLSC Skateshop in Moses Lake. After the demo, Mohs and his team will stick around and skate with the local skaters. The council approved two signs for the park. One would provide rules for the use of the skateboard area. The second sign is to be a bronze plaque with a list of donors. Pearson, who serves on the Coulee Area Parks & Recreation District Commission, also asked the city of Grand Coulee to underwrite postage costs for mailing invitations to the ribbon cutting. Councilman Chris Christo-pherson quickly reached for his billfold and gave Pearson postage money on behalf of his family. Efforts toward the development of a skatepark within the district got a bump start in October 2003, when the Town of Coulee Dam banned skateboarding in certain areas. A local group of students, assisted by Dale Singer, originally worked toward the development of a skatepark, and then brought their ideas to the Coulee Area Park & Recreation District in January, 2004. After that group found it difficult to secure grants for a skate park because they were not a registered non-profit organization, the recreation district took up development of the skatepark as a project, starting in July, 2004. Momentum for the skatepark built through 2004 and 2005 as the district formed a Skatepark Committee staffed by volunteers to raise funds for the skatepark. Donations for the skatepark built through 2006 to a total of just over $33,000, culminating in the purchase of pre-cast modular concrete ramps for the park in August. _______________________________________________________________  _______________________________________________________________ *** Goal Reached For Grand Coulee Skate Park ***
 Candy Munger applies the final red paint on the thermometer measuring growth of funds to buy ramps for the skatepark in Grand Coulees North Dam Park. Coulee Area Park and Recreation District commissioners formally announced at a special meeting Wednesday night that $33,868.33 had been collected. Commissioner Karl Pearson placed a cell phone call on the spot to order the ramps for $33,058.40. _______________________________________________________________ *** County Awards Grand Coulee Skatepark Grant ***Skatepark officials received notice of a $5,000 grant this week from Grant County economic development funds, bringing the groups total to about $30,000, but still short of its needs. Karl Pearson and his wife Gina, who have spearheaded the drive for funds, also found out this week that the delivery price for the concrete skate ramps is over $33,000. We still have a ways to go, Pearson stated Monday night. The couple plans to continue the drive to raise the additional money needed. It will take six to eight weeks for delivery of the ramps once the order is placed, Pearson noted. Gina wrote the grant request and we are very happy to receive a favorable response. It is our largest contribution, Pearson stated. ~~ No Tourism Taxes For Skate Park The use of hotel/motel tax dollars to support the proposed skateboard park would be inappropriate, Electric City officials were told Thursday. Toni Nelson, who works as a small city specialist for the state auditors office, told Mayor Ray Halsey and Town Clerk Jackie Perman that hotel/motel tax money cannot be used except as out lined by law. She said her advice is not to do it. State law says the funds must only be used to promote tourism. The subject was raised at the towns last council meeting by Councilmember Mark Borden, and it was decided to ask skateboard park representative Karl Pearson to attend council's July 25 meeting to discuss a donation. Now it wont be necessary, as far as those funds go, Halsey stated. Pearson had appeared before the council a couple of times earlier this year, soliciting funds for the project. Coulee Dam contributed $1,000 toward the skateboard park, but did so out of its park department general fund. The council there wanted to be a part of the project, but decided not to use hotel/motel tax money for the contribution because the park would be well outside the town. Grand Coulee opted not to give money to the project, but will be involved in the maintenance of the area. Elmer City, while giving skateboarders a cordial greeting when they appeared, opted not to give money. _______________________________________________________________ *** Art Auction For Skate Park ***The skate park fund raisers will host a silent art auction at Coulee Dam Town Hall July 3-4, and are still encouraging donations to that effort by artists. Artists interested can call either Karl Pearson, at 633-3239, or Carla Marconi at 634-2580. The group will hold a special artists reception from 6 to 8 p.m. July 3rd, 2006. _______________________________________________________________ *** Another Grant For Grand Coulee Skate Park ***Local supporters pushing for a skatepark in Grand Coulee were thrilled Monday with news of a $4,000 grant that puts them within $6,000 of making their goal. The Community Foundation of North Central Washington, through a grant to the local DARE association, will provide the funds for the skatepark. Karl Pearson, an active member of the skatepark organization and a commissioner for the Coulee Area Park and Recreation District, said the donation, plus an $800 matching grant from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Foundation, will put funds at the $24,000 mark. Pearson said the group hopes place an order for its skateboard ramps by August. In the meantime, theyll hope to raise remaining funds for the $30,000 project in two upcoming fund raisers. The group will host a silent art auction at Coulee Dam Town Hall July 3-4, and is still encouraging donations to that effort by artists. Artists interested can call either Pearson, at 633-3239, or Carla Marconi at 634-2580. The group wil hold a special artists' reception from 6 to 8 p.m. July 3. Donna Shear will also hold a big yard sale with proceeds going to the cause. Her number for donation arrangements is 633-1644. The Community Foundation of North Central Washington manages some $23.7 million in assets of its charitable community trust to benefit causes in Chelan, Douglas and Okanogan counties. They gave out more than $660,000 in 2005. _______________________________________________________________ *** Grand Coulee Skate Park Funds Bumped Up ***Skateboard park promoters said Monday that their fund raising efforts have reached $17,500. Karl Pearson of the Coulee Area Park & Recreation District, coordinator of the project, said Saturday's community yard and bake sale in Electric City was a huge success. Donna Shear, who spearheaded this fund raiser, did an outstanding job," Pearson said. We all want to thank the many people who donated items for this sale. The goal of the group is $30,000. During the month of May, Galaxy Pizza will donate 15 percent of its Friday receipts to the skateboard park, Pearson said. In other fund raisers, Wal-Mart has agreed to match up to $500 raised at the groups Colorama booth. Skate boarders will put on demonstrations at the skateboard site at North Dam Park, have an entry in the grand parade, and sell items at the booth. Thrivent International will match up to $800 raised at the group's July 3 and 4 silent auction of donated artwork. We hope to be able to order our ramps by the end of summer, Pearson said. _______________________________________________________________ *** Grand Coulee Skate Park Fund Building *** Photo - Alex Michel, 15, works his skateboard in a makeshift skatepark made of plywood and cinderblocks in the parking lot of the Vets Center in Electric City Tuesday. The skate board park fund reached $13,000 this week and may make it to $14,000 if a "check in the mail" gets here in time. Were really happy the way things are going, Karl Pearson said. He is spearheading the fund-raising drive for the Coulee Area Park & Recreation District. Three local kids were honored this week for outstanding fund raising efforts in the door-to-door campaign and will receive gift certificates to purchase - you guessed it - skate board products. Those honored were Andrew Pearson, J.C. Moses and Parks Marconi. Several fund raisers are now being planned. The group is working with the Eagles Lodge to put on a breakfast April 23, to raise money for the skateboard park. That will run from 8:30 to 12:30, and cost $6. Pearson said some of the skate boarders will appear before the Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce at its noon meeting on April 13. A big community garage sale has been scheduled for April 29, Pearson said. Persons wishing to donate items to the sale, or provide baked goods for the sale, are asked to call Donna at 633-1644, after 6 p.m. The sale will be held at 31 McNett Street in Electric City, beginning at 8 a.m. Another fund raising effort will be held on Friday and Saturday during Colorama with the group selling items from a tent at the ice rink site. And, Pearson said, a silent auction will be held July 3 and 4 at the Coulee Dam town hall. Items may be donated by calling Pearson at 633-3239. Pearson said that the Rotary Club has donated $500 toward the skateboard park. Our skateboarders are going to help the Rotary Club in its taco feed fund raiser April 21, Pearson noted. _______________________________________________________________ *** Skateboard Group Sticks With Site, Seeks More Money ***Coulee Area Park & Recreation District Commissioner Karl Pearson told Electric City Town Council members Feb. 28 that his research showed that any electromagnetic field danger from locating the proposed skateboard park at the ice rink site near North Dam Park was insignificant. He said that he had looked up information on the Internet and couldnt find anything that would suggest there would be a serious health risk locating the skateboard park near the overhead power lines. Councilmember Mark Borden had raised the question of high EMF readings at an earlier meeting, suggesting that a potential problem existed and that more information needed to be collected. Borden said he took readings at the intended site and they appeared to be high. Borden emphasized at that meeting, and again last Tuesday night, that he wasnt against the location, but he felt obligated to raise the issue. Councilmember Troy Ritter said that there were other sites at North Dam Park that would be a couple of hundred yards away from the overhead power line that might be better. Pearson indicated that his group was going ahead with plans to locate the skateboard park at the proposed site. Pearson's primary purpose of asking the town for a donation to the park fund had been overshadowed by questions raised by Ritter and Borden. Commissioner Pearson had appeared before the council, along with a number of young skateboarders, asking for a donation. At that meeting he had asked for just over $800. At the Feb. 28 meeting, Pearson asked for $5,000 out of the hotel/motel tax fund. City Clerk Laurie Hilton told the council that only $2,000 was budgeted for use this year. She said $1,500 was pledged to the chamber of commerce and $500 would help with the Miss Grand Coulee Dam program. Hilton later explained that if the council wanted to make a donation from the hotel/motel monies available they would have to pass a budget amendment freeing up additional funds. Pearson reported that his group had raised $11,000 towards its goal of $30,000. That amount would purchase concrete ramps from a Canadian firm. _______________________________________________________________ *** Advocate Questions Stand On Grand Coulee Skatepark ***The contention that a skateboard park cant qualify for hotel/motel tax dollars because it wouldnt attract tourism is a misconception, according to Diana Mey, who called from Wheeling, West Virginia, this week. Mey said the idea that skateboard parks dont attract tourists is not based on research and there are communities around the country that have experienced strong out-of-town interest in local skate parks. She acknowledged that rules for hotel/motel tax dollars might change from state to state. She said that she saw The Star newspaper story on line as a result of a Google alert about skateboard parks. The story she referenced was one that came out of a recent Coulee Dam Town Council meeting in which Town Clerk Carol Visker advised the council and town officials that a legal adviser in the Municipal Research and Services Center had told her that, in their judgment, a skateboard park did not meet the criteria of the statute that governs hotel/motel tax dollars usage. Visker said the question was whether the skateboard park was primarily for local usage, or for tourists. The other issue was that the proposed park would be located in Grand Coulee. Thats why we gave our money from regular tax funds, and not from hotel/motel monies, Visker said. The issue might be handled differently in Grand Coulee since the proposed park is located there, Visker said. Mey said she applauded the town of Coulee Dam for taking $1,000 out of its park budget to give to skateboard park advocates, but she said cities all across the country have found out that such parks do attract tourists. Milton-Freewater, Ore. City Manager Delphine Palmer stated on a skatepark advocacy web site that our new park is bringing in tourists and that teenagers are requesting their parents to bring them to Milton-Freewater so they can skate in the bowl. While kids skate, parents shop, she reported at www.skatersforpublicskateparks.org The organization, Skaters for Public Skate Parks, reports that some communities that had built up barriers to prevent skateboarding are now tearing them down, recognizing how popular the sport has become. It has become, according to advocates, the fastest growing sport in America. If your city doesnt have a skatepark, then your city is a skatepark, reads the motto at the top of their homepage. Local advocate Karl Pearson, a commissioner of the Coulee Area Park & Recreation District, said Monday that with the commitment of $1,000 by Coulee Dam the current fund is just over $11,000. The goal is $30,000. Already, we are thinking about future phases where we will expand our local park," Pearson said. Our skateboard park will give visitors one more thing to do while they vacation in the area. Pearson acknowledged that a skateboard park would have to have a lot of amenities before it would have a wide tourism appeal. Pearson and local skateboarders have made presentations to all the town councils in the area and to the Rotary Club. We are still waiting to hear from Grand Coulee, Electric City and the Rotary Club, he added. _______________________________________________________________ *** Coulee Dam Supports Skate Park Push ***Skateboard park promoters got a boost Wednesday night when the Coulee Dam Town Council voted the group $1,000. The money will come from the town's park fund. Town Clerk Carol Visker said she discovered with research that it would not be proper to use hotel/motel tax money for the skateboard park, an idea suggested at the last council meeting. By state law, hotel/motel tax funds can only be used for promotion of tourism. Visker said that the money will be made available when the actual purchase of skateboard ramps is made. The council also approved a new procedure for hotel/motel tax money recipients to follow. It will be a contract with the town on rules for getting and using the monies. It should make it easier to control the funds and make certain that they are used for their intended purpose, Visker told the council. The council did not make decisions on hotel/motel tax fund requests by the Lake Roosevelt Forum and the Coulee Corridor. The Corridor request was for $250 and the Forum request was for $500. Visker told the council that both would qualify for money under the rule governing the funds use. _______________________________________________________________ *** Bowling For Skaters Event Saturday ***Skateboarders will benefit from a Bowling Mania fund raiser at the Riverview Lanes Saturday, Feb. 4, 2006 from 3-7 p.m. The Coulee Area Park & Recreation District is heading the drive to create a skateboard facility in Grand Coulee near North Dam Park, on the ice rink site, already has raised $9,400 towards its goal of $30,000. Riverview Lanes owner Ron Nielsen is donating his bowling alley for the fund raiser Saturday, with all the proceeds between 3-7 p.m. going to the skateboard park drive. The group has raised its funds through a door-to-door community drive, garage sales and a concert. Karl Pearson, commissioner for the Parks & Recreation District, said the group hopes to be able to do something this summer at the site. _______________________________________________________________ *** Public Funds Sought For Skateboard Facility ***Coulee Area Parks & Recreation District officials made a pitch to Electric Citys town council last Tuesday night for funds to help with the proposed skateboard park. A number of skateboarders helped make the pitch and were well received by the council. However, Councilman Mark Borden brought up the fact that the proposed site was locate d right under the power lines at North Dam Park. He told other council members and the audience that he had taken electro-magnetic field readings at the site and the numbers were very high, suggesting that the area might not be safe for children. While there are no really definitive studies I can point to, I think you should consider a different site, Borden told the crowd. Borden reported that tests were four times higher at one end of the ice skating rink than at the other end. Parks & Recreation Commissioner Karl Pearson told the council that his group has raised $9,400 toward its goal of $30,000. The group has used a house-to-house community campaign, a garage sale, and concert to raise funds. Council members discussed using hotel/motel tax money for a contribution, but Mayor Ray Halsey said he didn't know if that would be appropriate. He said he would have the information for the council at its next meeting. The recreation group and some skateboarders also approached the Coulee Dam Town Council Wednesday night and asked for funds for the skateboard park. Council members were receptive and two members are going to work with Town Clerk Carol Visker to see how they might make a contribution. It was suggested that the council might use hotel/motel tax monies for the skate park. _______________________________________________________________ *** Grand Coulee Group To Enter New Fund Raising ***Commissioner Karl Pearson said yesterday that Coulee Area Park and Recreation District officials are pleased with community response to fund raising for the proposed skateboard park. We have over $8,600 in the bank and the money is still coming in," Pearson reported Tuesday. The groups house-to-house money raising plan is about 30 percent complete. And a number of fund raisers have produced good results, Pearson added. He said containers are at local businesses to make it convenient for people to give. We are entering a new phase in money raising now, Pearson said. We will appear before the Nespelem Town Council tonight (Tuesday) asking for major donations and we plan to be at Elmer City Thursday night. Appearances before Electric City and Grand Coulee councils are planned for later in the month. We also plan to ask major businesses for contributions, Pearson stated. The next community fund raiser has been set for Feb. 4, at Riverview Lanes. The recreation district will get all the proceeds from bowling from 3-7 p.m. that day. The group has set a $30,000 fund raising goal which will be enough to purchase all the necessary ramps for the park. We received some comments from Tony Hawk about our plan, Pearson noted. Hawk is widely known nationally in skateboard circles and his foundation provides some grant monies for parks. Our group plans to submit a grant request this year, Pearson said. _______________________________________________________________ *** Grand Coulee Skate Park Fund-Raising Shows Gains *** Photo - J.C. Moses takes off from a small plastic jump at the skate rink at North Dam Park. Supporters are working to raise $30,000 to put in better equipment that can be used by skateboarders, in-line skates and bicycle riders.  Photo - A group of kids among those working for new skatepark equipment gather for a photo around their fund-raising “thermometer” sign in front of the skate rink at North Dam Park. The Coulee Area Parks and Recreation District, which collects no taxes, has raised about $5,500 of $30,000 needed and plans more fund-raisers coming up. From left, are: Andrew Pearson, Tanner Loe, Jesse Adkins, Tyler Strickert, Jeff Lowery, Lee Williams, Steven Keffeler, Parks Conant, David Pearson, Zach Heater, J.C. Moses, Jake Adkins, Nate Pachosa, Dustin Munger and Jarred Balthazor. The taxless Coulee Area Park and Recreation District is inching closer to its $30,000 goal for a new skate park in Grand Coulee and is planning more opportunities for residents to support the effort. Weve been really pleased with the community support so far, said Karl Pearson, a member of the committee doing the fund raising and a district commissioner. Residents of the district have given more than $5,500 in donations for the skate park, officials said. Future opportunities to support the skate park will come later this fall with a bake sale and raffle on Oct. 27, and benefit concert on Nov. 12 at the Grand Gallery Theatre. The current total, which is less than a quarter needed for the skatepark, reflects donations from a range of sources. The district hosted a community yard sale in Sept. 10, raising almost $1000. A bake sale held the same day raised just over a $100,and $300 in raffle ticket sales started out the September fund-raising effort. Local skaters have since been dropping their boards long enough to ring doorbells and ask for donations. Pearson estimates that skaters have contacted about 30 percent of the districts residences. The District has also been working with local governments, businesses, and foundations. The Colville Confederated Tribes alone has donated $1,000 to the skate park, and local businesses have provided goods and services for the upcoming raffle. Items highlighted in the raffle include a Pendleton blanket from the Colville Tribal Museum and numerous gift certificates from local businesses. The district hopes to hear from the Tony Hawk Foundation in November regarding its grant application, which they submitted in late August. On Oct. 27, the district will sell baked goods and raffle tickets during "Moonlight Madness" in front of Foisy & Kennedys new offices in Grand Coulee. The raffle drawing will happen at a benefit concert at the Grand Gallery Theatre Nov. 12 from 7 to 10 p.m. Local band "Lovestitch" will be playing classic rock, and the admission is $5. Residents wanting an up-to-date accounting of the fund-raising effort can check the thermometer standing next to the ice rink in North Dam Park. This sign, painted by Jennifer Ferguson, of Inchelium, shows the total amount of funds raised so far. Pearson said that the skate park committee has been very pleased with all the generous community support, but that the district still needs more financial help and volunteers. In skater jargon, the time has come to, land, slam, or bail. Pearson said people wanting to help can call him at home, at 509-633-3239. _______________________________________________________________ *** Grand Coulee SK-8 Park Benefit Sale Scheduled ***People working to raise money for a skate park will hold a sale Saturday at North Dam Park's picinic area beginning at 8 a.m. The group is working to raise money to convert the Grand Coulee park's ice rink, which has never held ice, into a skate park with half-pipes and attractions for skateboarders and others. A committee of eight has been collecting donations, including a lot of reasonably priced items for the sale, said one of the eight, Sheila Whitelaw. There will also be some big ticket items, such as a motorcycle, she said, plus a bake sale. Anyone wishing to donate more items for the sale can drop them by the sale site Friday night, Whitelaw said. She can also be reached at 633-0465. _______________________________________________________________ *** Grand Coulee Skatepark Fundraiser To Start ***A community campaign to raise money for a skate board park at North Dam gets under way this week. Karl Pearson, one of the commissioners of the Coulee Area Park & Recreation District (CAPRD), told Grand Coulee council members last week that solicitors will be calling on businesses and homes throughout the region in an effort to raise $28,000, the amount needed to purchase equipment for the park. He said five coordinators will canvas businesses and homes to get contributions or pledges so that the equipment can be ordered. The ramps that have been selected are made out of concrete and will come from Canada. The ramps were selected by skateboarders from among several available for skateboard parks, Pearson stated. Earlier, members of the park and recreation district appeared before the council to show members the style of ramps and information about the manufacturing process. The recreation district does not receive tax money and must operate from fund raisers or contributions. The district will enter into a special arrangement with the city of Grand Coulee to use the ice skating rink near North Dam Park. Details of that arrangement are still being worked out. CAPRD commissioners approved the plan at their July 11 meeting. They hope to raise the funds this summer and fall, so equipment can be installed next spring. They will seek additional funds or in-kind donations of labor and equipment for the placement of the ramps on the existing ice rink surface, they announced in a press release this week. The centerpiece of this fund-raising plan, they said, is the commitment of volunteers who will work as coordinators for six different aspects of the fund-raising effort. The commissioners have filled all but one of the coordinator positions. Dale Singer, who helped organize local skaters before CAPRDs work, will contact local organizations regarding the ability to assist in the project. Carla Marconi will coordinate contacts with local businesses, as well as any raffles that might be used to raise funds. Carol Schoning will plan the door-to-door effort. And Cheryl Moses will target skaters and their families, especially local skaters who might like to take on pledge efforts to raise funds. Gina Pearson is drafting a brief management plan for the skatepark, which will help secure grants from various foundations and agencies. One more coordinator is needed to deal with donation cans. Community members who would like to assist in the effort are encouraged to contact one of the coordinators, or District Commissioner Karl Pearson at 633-3239 _______________________________________________________________ **** Skate Park Approved In Grand Coulee ***~Scout wants to head fund raising~ Skateboarders can look forward to plying their skills on the present ice rink at North Dam Park, if every piece of the puzzle fits together. Grand Coulees City Council on April 19 gave the Coulee Area Park & Recreation District (CAPRD) permission to locate a skateboard park on the ice rink site. There are a few wrinkles yet to be worked out. Council members wanted some assurance that the citys liability could be eliminated, plus some indication of who would really be in charge of the skateboard park, such as maintenance and clean-up around the area. Recreation officials and council members plan to get together soon to see if all the questions the two groups have can be settled. A number of skateboarders arrived at the council meeting moments after the matter was approved and were pleased that their sport may soon have a home. CAPRD officials showed council the equipment proposal submitted by Barkman Concrete, a Canadian firm, whose Skate Concept idea for ramps was selected. The cost of the ramps would be $27,500. Recreation officials said they wanted an answer so they could start raising money. One of the young skateboarders, Ian Waltermeyer, told council that he would like to take on the money raising duties for his Eagle Scout project. He currently is a Life Scout and a freshman at Lake Roosevelt High School, and said he is looking for a suitable project to earn his Eagle badge. Speaking to council, CAPRD Treasurer Jan Schrader said the ramps resist graffiti and are easy to clean and are all-weather. The ramps are heavy and would have to be lifted in place by a crane, Schrader told council members. All the components of the ramps are made from high-strength, pre-cast concrete. Skateboarding has been a hot topic in the area, with the Town of Coulee Dam creating an ordinance that restricts the area where kids can ride their boards. The skateboard park would be a great place for kids to have fun, Schrader told the council. _______________________________________________________________ *** More Skateboard Restrictions In Coulee Dam ***An amendment of the ordinance governing the use of skateboards in the Town of Coulee Dam was passed by Council Wednesday night. The amendment was simple and increased the towns leverage to control skateboarding by adding to the specific places where the activity is restricted by the line and as is otherwise posted within the Town of Coulee Dam. It is now unlawful to operate or ride upon any skateboard on the sidewalk or the street in the following places: 1) 6th Street, from Birch Street to Aspen Street; 2) West side of Birch Street, from 6th Street to Roosevelt Street; 3) North side of Roosevelt Street, from Birch Street to River Drive; 4) Inside of the Community Building; 5) West side of Fir Street, from 6th Street to Mead Way; 6) North side of Mead Way, from Fir Street to Cedar Street. The amendment also enables the town to post any other area where it wishes to prohibit skateboarding. _______________________________________________________________ *** Grand Coulee North Dam Park Preferred For Skaters ***The existing skating area at North Dam Park is the officially preferred site for a new skatepark area. So resolved the Coulee Area Park and Recreation District Board of Commissioners Monday night. They will ask to discuss the idea with the Grand Coulee City Council at its next meeting April 5. Theres a good shot at having ramps this summer if we get going, Commissioner Karl Pearson said. Getting going was the subject of some frustration Monday night at the special meeting Pearson requested. Before considering his motion to declare the Grand Coulee site as the preferred alternative, commissioners hashed over a prior resolution. They had voted in February to write a letter by April to city authorities asking to explore the possibilities regarding the Grand Coulee site and others in Coulee Dam. Only three members of the five-member board had been present at that meeting, and the group has circulated e-mails since, bringing up other discussion points, Pearson said. Also under discussion were the former barbecue area in Coulee Dams Mason City Memorial Park and an empty lot across Mead Avenue between Red Door Gifts and the Colville Tribal Museum. The latter site is owned by the Colville Tribes. Both other sites are owned by the Bureau of Reclamation but are under lease to the cities. Commissioner Jan Schrader said he would prefer to not consider the Coulee Dam park because the Coulee Dam Business Alliance had already expressed opposition to that site since a master plan has already been drawn up for that area. Schrader, a civil engineer by profession, also said he had estimated the value of the existing pad at what was originally built for an ice rink at North Dam Park - about $17,000. The North Dam Park site would give the community the best bang for the buck, he said. Pearson said for that reason and more, including the large space available and established parking, the rink at North Dam Park offers the best site to build in ramps to accommodate skaters. He said the commissioners should not waste time looking into less viable options. Why should we ask Coulee Dam for a site that is not superior? he said, comparing the process to hiring the best candidate for a job. Coulee Dam Councilmember Dale Singer, who was active in researching skateparks early on in the process, said he wouldnt favor siting the skatepark at the old barbecue site because of a lack of space and too much traffic. Pearson pushed for a vote on a resolution to declare North Dam the preferred site, barring unforeseen problems. That would give us a clear direction, he said. Weve got a lot of feedback from the community. Chairman Ted Piccolo called for the vote, which went 3-1 in favor with one abstention. Commissioner Sean Hess voted against the resolution. He said other issues had not been considered enough, including the fact that highway 155 runs by the site. I think were going to be back here making a decision again, Hess said. Commissioner Lauriann Mountjoy abstained, saying she didn't have enough information. Commissioner resigns from district Park and Recreation District Commissioner and Treasurer Lauriann Mountjoy resigned very regretfully Monday night, leaving the year-and-half-old district in search of a replacement. Other commissioners tried to talk her out of it, noting the expertise she could bring because of her past work experience in recreation. Mountjoy is more than seven months pregnant, which she said she hadn't counted on when running for the office. I just cant do it all right now, she said. The other commissioners voted to table discussion of her resignation, but elected Commissioner Jan Schrader to take over as treasurer. _______________________________________________________________ *** Public Input Sought On Grand Coulee Skatepark Ideas ***The idea of a skatepark in the Grand Coulee Dam area now has an image to go along with it. In fact, it has four of them. The Coulee Area Park and Recreation District (CAPRD) has released four skatepark designs, different ideas on how a skatepark in the area would be put together. The commissioners are now seeking public comment on which of the ideas the community would like to see made a reality. A public meeting will be held at Center School in Big Bend Community College room 205 (on the east end of the building, second floor) on Monday, Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. The primary goal of the meeting is gather public input on the designs, and other issues related to the skatepark. Some of the foundations that provide skatepark grant funding, such as the Tony Hawk Foundation, give higher priority to projects that demonstrate broad community support and involvement. By soliciting public opinion early in the planning process, the commissioners hope to tailor the skatepark to local needs. This public meeting will be an important step in the construction process. In addition to the public meeting, CAPRD will send representatives to meet with students at Lake Roosevelt High School and Grand Coulee Dam Middle School. Commissioner Sean Hess plans to attend the regularly scheduled skate club meeting at LRHS tomorrow at noon to discuss the current plans and seek input from the students. On Feb. 3, CAPRD will make a similar presentation at Grand Coulee Dam Middle School. The commissioners see youth participation in the planning process as a way of giving the students who will use the park a sense of pride in ownership, encouraging them to take on some of the responsibility for facility construction and maintenance. _______________________________________________________________ *** Location, Location, Location For Grand Coulee Skate Park ***The Coulee Area Parks and Recreation District is working on the first step of an action plan aimed at building a skate park in the Grand Coulee Dam area - finding a location. The skate park action plan includes acquiring a piece of property, either donated or through a low-cost lease, then using that land to leverage grant funding. Were in a situation now where they've got nothing," District Chair Ted Piccolo said, referring to local skaters. Theyre being pushed from one place to another. The board plans to work quickly to make the dream of a skate park a reality. A variety of locations have been thrown out and discussed. Two were pared from the list at Mondays meeting, while the list grew to include new ideas. The ice rink in Grand Coulee was crossed off the list for several reasons, including proximity to the center of the district, and access. Board members expressed a concern with kids having to cross at least one highway to get to the site. Another suggestion, the site of the old pool in Coulee Dam, was also named as less than desirable. The site creates patrolling issues because it is out of the way, Commissioner Sean Hess said. You dont want to create a location that is invisible to the public." The favored location is a site up against the sand pile in Coulee Dam. It is close to the high school, and it has several features that make it appealing. There are two former house pads that could potentially be used as part of the structure, and the area around the potential park site is landscaped. The commissioners decided to draft a letter to the USBR to ask about the land. A second piece of USBR property is also of interest, on the edge of Mason City Memorial Park. A lot of people who are skateboarders are gravitating toward that area," Hess said. Keeping in the same area, the board is also interested in the land between Red Door Gifts and the Colville Tribal Museum as a potential site. The board is also discussing collaboration with other groups with construction plans in the near future. One such possible collaboration is with Coulee Community Hospital. Location isnt the only issue the board is looking at. During the first weeks of January, they hope to make available possible layouts for the park so the community - especially the skateboarders - can offer input on the project. Commissioner Karl Pearson will be asking a concrete company for four different options for viable parks that fit within the same price range. Once those are in hand, computer drawings will be released to the public for review and comment. The kids were discouraged because this has been brought up before (over a year ago) and nothing came of it. Pearson said. "Although we've got an initial package here, there is some flexibility, and we want to get input from the skaters. The tentative plan that is currently being used as a base for funding and land purposes was put together by Dale Singer, in cooperation with a group of local skateboarders. Based on that package, three quotes were received, using three different materials. Composite plastic and steel were ruled out, and concrete was named as the preferred material. Advantages of concrete include low noise (concrete muffles), skater preference, and low maintenance costs. The concrete parts are poured in a controlled environment and then delivered, with two options for installation. Either a pad can be poured first and the ramps attached, or the pre-fabricated pieces can be put in place, then the pad can be poured around them. The second option allows for a seamless, though permanent, finish,with no concerns over joints. The boards next regular meeting is Jan. 10. A special meeting to review the park plans is scheduled for Feb. 7. The board is hoping to have a representative from Barkman Concrete on hand at the February meeting to answer any questions. _______________________________________________________________ *** Grand Coulee Park And Recreation Dist. Skatepark Priority ***In response to growing interest, the Coulee Area Park and Recreation District is developing plans for a skate park, commissioners announced in a press release this week. They are hoping that a skate park located in Grand Coulee or Coulee Dam could be ready for use by the fall of 2005. The Coulee Area Park and Recreation District was formed in January 2004, originally to lay the groundwork for a community pool. The district continues to work on plans for a pool, but it has become clear that one of the most pressing community recreational needs is a safe skatepark, the release stated. Controversy arose in 2003 regarding potential conflicts between pedestrians and skateboarders in the commercial district of Coulee Dam, resulting in an October 2003 anti-skateboarding ordinance. Despite the ordinance, skateboarders continue to frequent almost any available expanse of flat pavement, leading to the potential for future conflicts, commissioners said. Such conflicts could be avoided easily through the construction of an attractive, well-placed skate park, they stated. The district commissioners, in partnership with interested members of the public and local skateboarders, have been trying to narrow the range of skate park design options. The current preferred option combines five elements (a high straight ramp, a high concave ramp, an elevated, flat top rise, a low bi-concave ramp, and a grinding rail) on a concrete slab measuring at least 45 feet wide and 90 feet long. Three ramp manufacturers have provided estimates ranging between $17,500 and $20,000 for the ramps alone, which may be made of plastic composite, steel, or concrete. Additional costs would include the concrete slab and shipping of the ramps. With a preliminary design in hand, the task of finding a home for the skate park begins. The commissioners are evaluating potential options in the towns of Grand Coulee and Coulee Dam that are close to the geographic center of the district and would be safe for use by boarders. Other criteria to be used in site selection will include the cost of the land, the suitability of the site for construction with a minimum of earth-moving, proximity to other recreational facilities, and the visibility of the facility to local parents and law enforcement. Letters will be going out to landowners in the near future inquiring about the availability of their properties for lease to the district. Funds for the skate park facility are likely to come from a combination of local donations (both in-kind and monetary), private foundation grants, and federal grants. Development of a construction budget will help the district determine how much money to seek from each of these sources. Anyone interested in participating in the design and site selection process is encouraged to attend regularly scheduled district meetings. The next meeting is Dec. 13 at 6:30 p.m. at Big Bend Community Colleges Grand Coulee campus at the former Center School on Spokane Way. _______________________________________________________________ *** Grand Coulee Skate Park Idea Gaining Support ***When security at the Coulee Dam Casino was alerted to the skateboarders outside the casino one afternoon, it wasnt the first time the youths had been asked to leave the area. But problems can lead to solutions. This particular afternoon, Curt Davis, a maintenance supervisor at the casino, accompanied security outside to talk to the young skaters. When he saw the looks on their faces, he knew this wasnt the first time these kids had been moved on. More importantly, he knew they didn't have anywhere to move on to. Davis started to think about where these kids would go, and an idea formed in his mind. After talking with a group of skateboarders and some of his co-workers at the casino, he decided action needed to be taken. With this, a grassroots campaign to bring a skate park to the Grand Coulee Dam area was born. Some research on the Internet brought ideas and input from other community groups throughout the Pacific Northwest that have put in parks of their own. He collected information and ideas on funding, design, legal issues, and many of the other factors that go into a project like the one he had in mind. Eastern Washington examples he looked at included the Hillyard Park project in Spokane and the Leavenworth skate park, which had its ribbon cutting last May. One important consideration that came up repeatedly was the importance of having youth input in the project. In fact, some grants hinge on youth input. Private grant funds are available from numerous sources. One grant the Hillyard Park project took advantage of was the Tony Hawk Foundation grant, which can range from $1,000 to $50,000. The next deadline for application is March 16, and Davis hopes to have enough community involvement to apply this spring. Dates are set for two benefit concerts to get things rolling for the skate park fund, and build interest in the project. Three Omak bands will play at the Grand Gallery Theatre Nov. 20. The groups include a hip-hop/rap/DJ group, a hardcore punk band, and an industrial metal band. Tickets are $10 and all proceeds will go to the skate park. The second concert will be held Dec. 18, also at the Grand Gallery Theatre. Davis hopes to have more local content. Details on this event are not yet available. Adult and youth volunteers are needed to help make the idea a reality. A meeting is planned for 11:30 a.m. Friday at Pepper Jacks. Anyone interested in the project is invited to attend and bring their ideas. Discussion with a group of local skaters with an interest in building a skate park is planned in the coming weeks, but specific dates were not available at press time. Volunteers can also come to the Grand Gallery Theatre Saturday at 5 p.m. to lend a hand with the concert. _______________________________________________________________ *** New Skateboard Rules Revamped ***Exactly where someone can and cannot ride a skateboard in the town of Coulee Dam has been clarified in a new law passed by the town council Dec. 10. The towns new ordinance bans skateboards on the sidewalk or the street in six specific sections of the town. Those areas are: * 6th Street- from Birch Street to Aspen Street * West side of Birch Street - from 6th Street to Roosevelt Street * North side of Roosevelt Street - from Birch Street to River Drive. * Inside the town's community building * West side of Fir Street - from 6th Street to Mead Way * North side of Mead Way - from Fir Street to Cedar Street. That means bicycles, roller skates, scooter or any other vehicle propelled solely by human power can once again ride on any street, alley, sidewalk, park or publicly owned parking lot in Coulee Dam. Its been watered down, Coulee Dam Mayor Quincy Snow said of the new ordinance. Initially the law was requested as a safety measure in the town, when skateboarders were seen to endanger themselves and others in town. An earlier ordinance made it unlawful to ride skateboards, bicycles, roller skates and coasters in the central business district of Coulee Dam. But after its passage Oct. 8, residents of the Grand Coulee Dam area and Coulee Dam Councilmember David Schmidt criticized the ordinance because of how unclear and restricting it was. At the Nov. 12 meeting, area residents, including several young skateboarders, attended the Nov. 12 council meeting to protest the law. None of those citizens attended the Dec. 10 meeting. The ordinance still requires all human-powered vehicles to obey traffic control signals, signs and other control devices applicable to vehicles, unless otherwise directed by a police officer. They must also ride the vehicles with reasonable regard for the safety of the operation and other persons. The ordinance takes effect today. _______________________________________________________________ *** Grand Coulee Citizens Debate Skateboard Ordinance ***Several skateboarding kids and several parents talked with Coulee Dam town officials last week about a controversial ban on skateboards. Twelve people, including six young skateboarders, attended the Coulee Dam Town Council meeting Wednesday for about an hour to talk about an ordinance that bans skateboards, bicycles, roller skates and scooters from any alley, street, sidewalk, ( More ) _______________________________________________________________ *** Grand Coulee - Most Election Results Decided ***The Grand Coulee mayoral race and the joint parks and recreation district appear settled, while one Coulee Dam council race remains very close a week after elections. All of the results are tentative, however, until county canvassing boards certify the results next Wednesday. The also plan to pursue a new skateboard park in the area and playground equipment. ( More ) _______________________________________________________________ *** Changes To Skateboard Ban Delayed ***Councilmember wants more clarity, Changes on a ban on skateboards, bicycles and other vehicles in the town of Coulee Dam was scheduled to pass before a clearer ordinance was requested. So far, no skateboarders or their parents have attended the twice monthly Wednesday night meetings when the council has discussed the ordinance. But several people have written letters to the editor at The Star denouncing the law. The next meeting is scheduled for Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. ( More ) _______________________________________________________________ *** Editorial - Flap Points To Need For Parks District ***Its actually been brewing for years. The current ruckus over Coulee Dams attempts to deal with the skateboard issue, is just a specific result of the whole areas lack of attention to what in most communities is a major public interest - parks and recreation. Each of the small towns that comprise this community lacks the resources to consistently do much more than mow the park lawns. And lets face it; if any one of us had to choose between keeping the water system working, the sewers flowing, the streets passable or the park lawns green, ( More ) _______________________________________________________________ *** Challenger Says Council Out Of Touch ***To Kenneth Newkirk, the town council of Electric City has lost touch with whats going on in their town. Right now this town is going nowhere fast, Newkirk says. He says something needs to be done before it becomes a ghost town. Half of the town council is not from Electric City and they are trying to run it like a big city, he says. ( More ) _______________________________________________________________ *** Free-Wheeling Banned In Business District *** |
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