committed to building a free public skatepark in bar harbor, maine
Posts tagged Town Council
Update of Activity
Since our last Post, much has been happening:
~ Chris Schwartz and Michael Boland helped us raise funds at the Cafe Choco-Latte “Skate Deck Art Show”. Thanks also to Katie Churchill!
~ We had another successful Fourth of July appearance in the parade and booth at the ball field. Thanks to all who helped! We sold cotton candy, iced tea and iced coffee.
~ A brick campaign was put together with Polar Engraving Co. and is underway for people to choose a brick for the walkway to the entrance to the new skatepark. Click here to order yourS: http://polarengraving.com/MDISkateparkAssociation
~ Our update to the Town of Bar Harbor Town Council was received well and MOU extended:
MDI Skatepark Association met with the Bar Harbor Town Council on July 7 to report on the progress of the skatepark site work and Phase 1 construction. Katie Churchill has been heading up the communication between Pillar Designs in Arizona, S. W. Cole Engineers in Bangor, and Tim Whitney of MacQuinn’s Construction over the last several months. At recent Board meetings we have received each new report during this phase of discovery and made the commitment to take the time to build the skatepark right, following the professional advice we are presented with.
The site had to be tested again once the ground dried out (this was expected) and before it was excavated and backfilled (this summer). Once the results were studied, it was determined by the engineers that because of the marine clay under the field, the site will have to settle for a period of time so that it will be in the best shape to hold the concrete park without future cracking or settling.
The Town Council received our report favorably and immediately made a motion, which passed unanimously, to extend the Memorandum of Understanding (of November 15, 2016) for another year to allow for the possible 8 month settling period.
We are excited that things are moving along well and the project has great grass roots as well as Town Council support.
This work is led by a hard working volunteer board of directors who have full time jobs, families, and many other responsibilities, but believe in this project, have brought it to this point, and are committed to seeing it through.
We welcome you to our meetings–they are a great way to stay informed! Many thanks to all who are supporting this worthy endeavor!!
Town Council and MDI Skatepark agree to Move Temporary Ramp
Well, the meeting with the Bar Harbor Town Council on October 21 covered more ground than expected. Besides giving a thorough update of fundraising progress, general activities and reports regarding the temporary ramp repairs needed–Karen Svenson, our Board Chair (and Katie Churchill) also responded to many questions about the upcoming renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Town of Bar Harbor. MDISA had scheduled to discuss this at the November 17 Town Council meeting. The current MOU expires November 15, but was extended to November 17.
Karen put up a good fight to keep the temporary ramp up for youth to continue using until just before we break ground, but it became evident that wisdom dictated being open to removing it. Paul Paradis asserted that the current MOU states that we agreed to remove the ramp by November 15 (in preparation for breaking ground this fall), a motion ensued to remove the ramp and it passed.
Because $43,832.75 in cash is now in hand, with pledges to be fulfilled totaling $21,425, the amount that can go towards construction is $65,257.75. This means we are getting very close to Phase I to begin (once negotiations with Pillar Designs are finalized and additional funds are raised with the fall campaign).
Therefore–as we remove the ramp, we ask everyone to celebrate the event We give thanks to Dave Lavalle and Jon Ho and their team who built it and Deborah Page for the fundraising impetus that helped raise the $8,000 for materials. It provided youth and adults alike with a place to skate, scooter, BMX bike and roller blade for a number of years as we progressed toward our goal.
The “Ramp Deconstruction Party” will be Sunday, November 1 from 1 – 5 pm! Here is our poster for the event!
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