Discussion came during a slot on tonight's agenda for creating a budget line item to account for the donations being pledged and received for the facility, which is proposed to be located at the current sand volleyball court.

“We could potentially receive $40,000,” he said. “We're at about $20,000 give or take.”

Council approved a $40,000 line item for the project.

Simeon said this evening the city has commitments from 15 to 20 individuals or businesses. “It came as a surprise at first but not after talking about the need we have in Roanoke Rapids to have a safe place to skate,” he said of the response to the proposal.

The amount pledged already will build an adequate facility. Amounts beyond that will allow for a park that will be capable of holding regional competitions.

(The next phase in the process will be a meeting Thursday night in which community members may give input to the layout and elements at the park. Parents, young children, teens and older adults are expected to attend. It will be at 5:30 p.m. at T.J. Davis)

Although having been discussed for several years, the plans are coming together, Simeon said. “This is moving at a fast pace, which also shows the need in the community and those who support it.”

Simeon said he would like to have all donations and sponsorships in by September 1. “We would like to see the community come forward to provide a safe place for the kids to skate.”

Those interested in helping out in the project may call Simeon at 252-533-2847.

Community waste reduction and recycling grant

Meanwhile this evening, the city accepted a grant from the state Department of Environment and Natural Resources for a recycling project for city buildings, parks and small businesses.

The city will receive a check from the department for $13,880. City matches for the rollout carts and outreach will make it a $14,850 program, Public Works Director Larry Chalker told council.

There will be 50 carts for 12 city buildings and five heavily used parks where co-mingled items such as cans, glass, newspapers and cardboard can be discarded.

There will be 220 rollout carts for small businesses to take part in the program. “We will be reaching out to small businesses that want to take part in the program,” he said.

Once the program is under way, the pickup will most likely be done on Wednesdays, Chalker said this evening.

The city makes trash runs Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Mondays the city picks up 1,363 carts on a 30-mile route. On Tuesdays it picks up 1,522 carts on a 22.5-mile route. Thursday pickup is 1,601 carts on a 30-mile route while on Friday there are 1,561 stops on a 30-mile route. “We're talking about 250 if we do it on Wednesdays,” he said.

Small businesses interested in the program may call the Public Works Department at 252-533-2846.

Crutchlow retirement

City Council also recognized the retirement of Herbert Crutchlow, who leaves after 28 years of service.

“We're losing a tremendous amount of knowledge,” Chalker said.

Crutchlow began with the city on June 12, 1986. He became garage foreman on January 2, 1989. He was promoted to garage superintendent on January 1, 1996. He will continue to be on city's disaster team.