PORT ANGELES — Construction of the long-awaited Port Angeles Skate Park will begin in May as fund-raising efforts continue.
“We now have over $100,000 in the bank, so we are going to go for it,” said Doc Reiss of Nor’wester Rotary Club of Port Angeles, which is raising money for the skate park next to Dream Playground at Erickson Playfield, Second and Race streets.
“We also are hoping to generate $100,000 in in-kind materials and labor.
“It’s nice how people are stepping up to the plate. Several groups have told us, ‘When you’re ready, let us know,”‘ Reiss said.
The City Council this week approved the skate park’s final design, a step Parks and Recreation Director Marc Connelly described as the next to last phase before the May ground-breaking.
Engineer and Rotarian Steve Zenovic told the council on Monday afternoon that initial site work will begin in April.
Then the contractor will begin in May and work for two months, he said.
Zenovic said the park will be built about four feet above grade and not quite parallel with the street.
Fund-raising organization
Nor’wester Rotary agreed in December 2003 to be the lead fund-raising organization for the effort, which began with a June 2002 presentation to the city Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission.
Reiss said the $100,000 raised so far will allow construction to begin.
Then if $100,000 in in-kind labor and materials can be obtained, that would leave about $100,000 for additional fund-raising, he said.
The skate park will be located along Race Street at the northeast corner of Erickson Playfield, which is bounded by Francis and Race streets and Second and Fourth streets.