Time is running out
MARQUETTE -- A new skate park in Marquette has been in the planning process for over a decade.
The Marquette Area Skate Plaza Committee is a group of 10 Marquette residents who are pushing to get the project completed in Marquette on the corner of Pine Street and Fair Avenue. Right now the committee needs $150,000 for the project. If they reach their goal, the city has agreed to contribute $75,000.
But committee Co-Chair Anne Stark is concerned if they don't meet their $150,000 goal soon, the city's contribution may go away.
"Everybody in the state of Michigan knows that the budget situation is completely in flux, and it depends on what Lansing does,” said Stark. “Cities and local governments are going to be in dire straits we're afraid."
Right now the committee has raised only $35,000. If they don't reach their $150,000 goal by June 30, Stark says the chances of the park being constructed becomes slim.
"That's not written in stone, but that's what we're thinking; that when the city has to make their decisions about their budget," Stark said.
If the funds are met, however, construction for the skate park could be underway as early as this fall.
Because I have never skateboarded in Marquette, I wanted to know: Where can you skateboard? Right now the city of Marquette allows skateboarding on the sidewalks between the hours of 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday. This is with the exception of a few restricted areas. Skateboards are also not allowed on city streets at any time.
But you might be wondering, what about the skate park behind the Y? The park is currently closed for the winter. It will reopen on May 1 to Y members or to members of the public for a fee of $5 per day and $25 for the season.
Not only that, but the proposed new skate park would be four times as large as the park behind the Y.
If you're interested in supporting the project, the Marquette County Community Foundation is the office to contact.
"Our primary role for the skate park is to take in the charitable dollars and to use those dollars to pay the bills of the skate park," said Carole Touchinski of the Marquette County Community Foundation.
Bottom line, the skate park needs a lot of money and it needs it soon. The committee has solicited grants from 10 foundations and businesses; they are currently waiting for news on those. In the meantime, the Marquette County Community Foundation is accepting online contributions as well as checks, or you can call their office.
For the Marquette County Community Foundation’s contact information, click here.
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