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Construction complete on Hillyard Skatepark
Bowls and runs ready under all the snow
The Spokesman-Review Thursday, January 22, 2004
Melodie Little
Staff writer
The highly anticipated Hillyard Skatepark is finally open, although
boarders will likely have to wait for a giant chinook wind to
enjoy it.
With the construction fence down, the only obstacle to an amazing
ride are the winter storms that keep filling the bowls and runs
with snow and slush.
"Construction is all done. If it weren't for the deep snow
that it's buried under, it would be usable right now," said
Tony Madunich of the Parks Department.
Opening festivities were origi
nally scheduled for early November and featured exhibition skateboarding
and BMX bicycling. However, Hillyard's Festival Association was
forced to cancel the event because cold weather put a freeze on
efforts to complete cement work.
Finishing the park, located in the northeast corner of Sharpley-Harmon
Park, was a battle against the elements. Construction began in
July, and Grindline, the park's contractor, squeezed in the last
bit of work during a momentary lull between cold snaps and blizzards
the week after Christmas. All that remains for the crew is grading
the large mounds of dirt that vacillate between being heaps of
mud and frozen boulders, a project that will have to wait till
spring.
With 12,000 square feet of bowls, perimeter decks and street
elements, like railings, skateboarders will likely find a ride
that's worth the wait. Boarders can travel the perimeter, tackling
multiple challenges without being interrupted by obstacles.
The park was designed with input from local skateboard enthusiasts
and as one of the few professional-quality skate parks in the
Northwest, Madunich expects that it will attract numerous competitive
skateboard events. The unfenced park is free and open to skateboarders
during regular park hours, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The park was paid for with $220,000 from a bond that passed in
1999 and with community development funds.
Madunich said Parks Department officials will meet with neighborhood
groups and area skateboarders to discuss the possibility of using
community development funds to add lights, fencing and a drinking
fountain.
"We're in the process right now of getting some bids on
some of the fencing, fountains and lighting," he said.
Grand opening celebrations will be held in the spring in conjunction
with some type of skateboard event, Madunich said.
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