Skateboarders ask for skate park in Pontiac.
Skateboarders ask for park in Pontiac
PONTIAC -- More than 475 signatures of people wanting Pontiac to build a skate park will be presented to the City Council tonight.
Celine Risen, co-owner of the Underground Skate Shop in Pontiac, has been collecting petitions passed by skaters and parents over the last two weeks.
The group is hoping the council will listen to their request to build a facility that can accommodate skateboards, in-line skates and bikes.
City Administrator Bob Karls said Risen has been added to the agenda at her request.
The city restricts the use of skateboards, inline skates and bikes to sidewalks. None are allowed in the downtown area.
"If they don't build a park, these kids have no place where they can skate," Risen said. "It would be something positive for the city."
The idea of a skate park was pushed around a few years ago, but interest was lost and it was not a priority of the council. At the time, the city had concerns about obtaining insurance.
"This will be an opportunity for the whole council to begin to study the issue," Karls said. "They are scheduled to be on the agenda."
Phil Risen said a simple skate park could cost the city about $30,000. The Risens often take their children and others to skate parks outside the area.
Celine Risen said while at the parks, parents spend money in shops and on food. They said they believe a skate park could help the Pontiac economy.
She said grants from the skating industry could help cover the costs of a future facility.
Phil Risen said interest in the park would not die because skating is a growing sport. He said those who use the park would take care of it because it would be the only place they could go.
"Skaters have a bad reputation, but once people get to know these kids, they'll see they are all good kids," he said. "As the only skate shop in town, we'll make sure the kids take care of it."
According to the National Sporting Goods Association, 10 million people used skateboards in 2004.
By Karen Walters
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