Skate park construction scheduled for October

Half pipe. 180. Kickflip. Ollie. These terms will soon be heard around Bloomington after the new outdoor skate park is erected. \nOn Aug. 27, base bids were opened for the project by the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department. According to John Turnbull, the department's Sports and Fitness director, bids were taken from Dave O'Mara Contractor Inc., Crider & Crider Inc. and Smock Fansler; and ranged from $580,250 to $645,000. Turnbull said the prices were expected and the city plans on using bond funds to pay for the park.\nCalifornia-based architectural firm Lawrence Moss was hired to help with the park's design, ramp structure and curvature. In addition, the firm has worked with the skate enthusiasts to come up with an ideal layout that local skaters will enjoy. Rails, ramps and other terrain will be a part of the approximately 12,500 square foot concrete park.\nConstruction is scheduled to begin next month at Upper Cascades Park. Not only will ramps and rails be erected for the skaters, but a basketball court, play area with possible climbing structure and a shelter house are also planned. The new additions will join an existing trail and a waterfall in the back of the park.\n"This will be a better use for Upper Cascades," said Turnbull. "It has been a site in transition. It could be a family picnic spot. A 12-year-old skater can use the skate park. There is stuff for the younger kids. Mom and dad can take a walk on the trail, sit, read a book and enjoy the waterfall."\nConveniently located on the city bus route, this location allows easy access for IU students and Bloomington residents.\nThe Parks and Recreation Department will recommend a bid to the committee in charge of the skate park on Sept. 9. Work is set to begin on the site two days later and Turnbull said the park should take about nine to 10 weeks to complete.\nBloomington resident Deborah Hayes said the park will provide a good place for young skaters like her son John to participate in one of his favorite activities. She said her son's hobby keeps him away from drugs and alcohol.\n"The community should be happy to have a place for the kids to go," Hayes said. "The skaters of this community are a great bunch of kids. Some of the younger kids who like to skate can learn a lot from the older ones, too," Hayes said. "All of the skaters who have been involved with this project are very good kids. The park will benefit many, plus a lot of new skaters just getting started will have a great place to go."\nHayes and John have been involved in bringing the park to Bloomington from the beginning. John, who has ambitions of becoming a professional skater, has worked on generating grants and other fundraising monies. \nThe pair was also involved in opening a small skate park in Ellettsville, which is currently closed due to problems such as graffiti. \nIU alumnus and Bloomington resident Wil Barrick agrees that a skate park will benefit the community, specifically the local skaters.\n"If the skate park is kick-ass enough, it will bring kids from outlying areas, which will help business. Even if it comes to buying a Gatorade at the gas station, it will help local businesses," Barrick said.\nDiscussions about building a skate park for local skateboarders and inline skaters began in January at a public meeting in City Hall. Designs of the park and handouts were presented in a public meeting in April. The time between January and April was known as the "preliminary design phase," according to Turnbull. During this time, concepts, location, and features were discussed among the design firm, staff at the Parks and Recreation Department, and a committee of local skate enthusiasts and skate shop owners.\nIn the 1990's, the city attempted to run a skate park at Maplefoot Park, but it closed because of a lack of user support.\n"It will be a nice feature and another recreational outlet for the people of Bloomington," Turnbull said. "It is safe to say, it is here to stay."\n-- Contact staff writer Holly Pilewski at hpilewsk@indiana.edu.