Penhold's skatepark is one wheel bearing closer to becoming a reality.
With the recent release of the concept plan by the town and the Penhold Skatepark Committee, efforts have begun to raise funds in earnest for the upcoming new facility to be located behind the Penhold Regional Multiplex. “The Penhold and District Optimist Club will be holding a Twilight Golf Tournament and Silent Auction on Sept. 6 to raise funds for the skatepark,” said Optimist Club president Linda Crites. “There will also be a silent auction at the Top of the Hill Golf Club in Sylvan Lake. We have just started looking for items for the auction.”
Crites said this is their only major fundraiser of the year and they are looking to the community to support the effort.
“Some of the funds raised will also go to other local projects such as play parks, youth programming, and support for community groups,” added Crites.
She noted a charity check stop will also be held in Penhold on Aug. 16 with the cooperation of the town's peace officers and RCMP to raise funds for Optimist supported projects.
“The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band will also be playing Penhold to raise money for the community skatepark,” said Cooper. “Full details are yet to be worked out but our little skatepark is getting major support.”
Trevor Morgan, vice-president of New Line Skateparks, who was awarded the design and build contract in May of this year, has visited Penhold numerous times to help youth come up with a concept design for the new skatepark, which is to be located south of the multiplex and Penhold Crossing Secondary School on 1.2 acres of land.
“I went to one meeting, and he listened while the kids dreamed about the various features they would like in the park,” said Cooper. “He allowed them to shape what it would include and look like, then came back with a design.”
Cooper added that the final design is unique, and has elements of what Penhold youth wanted in their skatepark.
“We should have the final design for the park done by the end of this year,” said Morgan. “Depending on fundraising, we may be able to go to construction next year but every community is different.”
New Line Skateparks Inc. has been designing skateparks across Alberta and worldwide for more than a decade with 200 communities boasting company designs and builds. More information on the Twilight Golf Tournament can be found by calling Linda Crites of the Penhold and District Optimist Club at 403-886-4645.
