The gathering of the Rio Vista Recreation Commission on Jan. 23 not only marked the appointment of Dan Schindler to its panel, but also heard local police officer and Rio Vista Youth Foundation President, Lisa McDowell’s proposal for the placement of a safer skateboard park closer to the heart of downtown Rio Vista.
“There are several holes [in the current skateboard ramps] that are more a hazard than anything,” said Officer McDowell. “The adverse weather conditions have demolished the top surface to a point where it is no longer safely skate-able.”
McDowell offered the idea of repairing the damages that the nearly decade old skate park has suffered. Renovation costs of the facilities located on land zoned for business property would only be short term and would demand return attention sooner than later.
The more formidable alternative, to the temporary remedy of the awkwardly distant “temporary” skate park on Poppy House Road, would be for the City to apply for grants to assist in financing the construction of a new facility in a more centralized location.
Through personal research, McDowell discovered the Tony Hawk Foundation, which offers grants to build quality skate parks in low-income areas across the United States.
“The grant doesn’t cover the entire purchase price of the park,” said McDowell. “It covers anywhere from $1,000 to $25,000 depending on the qualifications of the community.”
The qualifications being that local skaters must be involved throughout the planning, fundraising and design processes, and the area must be designed and constructed by experienced and qualified contractors. The community must exhibit a strong grass roots commitment to the project.
After obtaining written proof of support of the proposed project from every principal within the River Delta Unified School District, the Chief of Police and Chief of Montezuma Fire Protection District, the next step was to gain the support of the Recreation Commission to submit the grant application by its Feb. 1 deadline.
“The idea of having a skate park in Rio Vista is not a new idea,” said Commission member Thomas Lamothe. “It seems like there are attempts at it every 10 years or so, and I feel that the community would be like, ‘yes! Finally!’ if this project was saw through.”
The questions of total cost and placement of the facility were the major concerns of the commission members.
The list of potential locations suggested by McDowell included Bruna Vista Park (located near St. Joseph Cemetery) and the California and Fourth street corner of Bruning Park.
McDowell maintained that these locations would serve as a safe and visible alternative to commission suggestions of using land behind Egbert Field, or the possible redevelopment of the basketball complex near the police department, as well as the tennis courts located on the Rio Vista High School campus.
The price tag for the development of this project depends on the park’s design, as well as the location and the amount of land that is designated. Though the possibility of the grant, coupled with the funds raised by the Rio Vista Youth Foundation, could provide a strong financial starting point – much more fundraising and charitable contributions will be necessary.
“This town is very supportive of anything done for the benefit of the kids here,” explained commission member Dan Schindler. “If we can raise $1.3 million for a pool we can raise $25,000 for a skate park. If we get the right groups together we can do it.”
“There are several holes [in the current skateboard ramps] that are more a hazard than anything,” said Officer McDowell. “The adverse weather conditions have demolished the top surface to a point where it is no longer safely skate-able.”
McDowell offered the idea of repairing the damages that the nearly decade old skate park has suffered. Renovation costs of the facilities located on land zoned for business property would only be short term and would demand return attention sooner than later.
The more formidable alternative, to the temporary remedy of the awkwardly distant “temporary” skate park on Poppy House Road, would be for the City to apply for grants to assist in financing the construction of a new facility in a more centralized location.
Through personal research, McDowell discovered the Tony Hawk Foundation, which offers grants to build quality skate parks in low-income areas across the United States.
“The grant doesn’t cover the entire purchase price of the park,” said McDowell. “It covers anywhere from $1,000 to $25,000 depending on the qualifications of the community.”
The qualifications being that local skaters must be involved throughout the planning, fundraising and design processes, and the area must be designed and constructed by experienced and qualified contractors. The community must exhibit a strong grass roots commitment to the project.
After obtaining written proof of support of the proposed project from every principal within the River Delta Unified School District, the Chief of Police and Chief of Montezuma Fire Protection District, the next step was to gain the support of the Recreation Commission to submit the grant application by its Feb. 1 deadline.
“The idea of having a skate park in Rio Vista is not a new idea,” said Commission member Thomas Lamothe. “It seems like there are attempts at it every 10 years or so, and I feel that the community would be like, ‘yes! Finally!’ if this project was saw through.”
The questions of total cost and placement of the facility were the major concerns of the commission members.
The list of potential locations suggested by McDowell included Bruna Vista Park (located near St. Joseph Cemetery) and the California and Fourth street corner of Bruning Park.
McDowell maintained that these locations would serve as a safe and visible alternative to commission suggestions of using land behind Egbert Field, or the possible redevelopment of the basketball complex near the police department, as well as the tennis courts located on the Rio Vista High School campus.
The price tag for the development of this project depends on the park’s design, as well as the location and the amount of land that is designated. Though the possibility of the grant, coupled with the funds raised by the Rio Vista Youth Foundation, could provide a strong financial starting point – much more fundraising and charitable contributions will be necessary.
“This town is very supportive of anything done for the benefit of the kids here,” explained commission member Dan Schindler. “If we can raise $1.3 million for a pool we can raise $25,000 for a skate park. If we get the right groups together we can do it.”