Vegreville Town Council Throws its Support Behind Skatepark Project

Vegreville Town Council Throws its Support Behind Skatepark Project

Michelle Pinon News Advertiser

The future of the Vegreville Rotary Club`s proposed skatepark is looking much brighter thanks to a recent vote of confidence by members of town council.

During the Feb. 10 meeting town council passed a motion to donate $40,000 in principle, 40 hours usage of its tandem dump truck and assistance with social media and communications

Town Manager Cliff Craig said he and Community Services Director Phil Rowe met with Renee Senko, Director of Local Projects for the Vegreville Rotary Club on Feb. 7. “They asked if the town could commit $40,000 in principle for purposes of the CFCP grant. Depending upon the donations that come in, and where they are at just before construction starts, they may instead request the loan. But it won`t be both. They just want to see where they`re at. But for purposes of the CFEP grant, the $40,000 of the municipal portion will go a long way,” stated Craig.

As stipulated in the Rotary Club`s proposal: “If project funding is required, it would be for a period of up to 10 years, interest free, if the capital for construction cannot be raised by summer of 2020. The amount and the terms would be negotiated before construction. The maximum financing request would be $200,000. Construction would not start unless 80 per cent of the funds were in place.”

Mayor Tim MacPhee stated: “I’ve always said we can`t be your grandfather`s Vegreville anymore. I raised my family here. My son was an avid skateboarder and snowboarder and he had to leave the community every weekend to go some place to compete at the level and have the facility he needed to do what he wanted to do. And now with this bike park and skate park, it’s what young people do today, and we need to be able to offer that…They`re taking on a million dollar project here in this community, so we had to show some leadership too, and get in there and support them where we can. What we feel right now is the way that we have our donation structured it`s gonna support them either in the front end where they really need it or the back end to finish the project. We’re all in. It’s unanimous with council. We`re supporting this and we just feel it will be a big asset for our community.”

Lois Byers, Project Chair said the club applied for $425,000 in funding under the CFEP grant program last October, and is expecting to hear a response on the funding request soon. “Our fingers, toes and everything is crossed,”said Byers.

The club has been working with the town for the past four years, and Byers said staff and council have been supportive of the project. Byers said the skatepark will not only be a place for youth, but a place for everyone in the community. The proposal incorporates sensory walls, picnic and park areas, trees and walking paths.

To date the club has received 30 letters of support and the full endorsement from the Vegreville RCMP. She encourages anyone who wants to be a part of the project to make a donation. Donations made on-line, (https://www.eicf.ca/skatepark), will receive an extra 15 per cent by the Alberta Treasury Branch through its CARES program.