Parks and Recreation Director John Simeon said the city was notified its grant application in the amount of $125,000 was approved Monday.
With community contributions and pledges, the department will have $150,000 for the project.
“The parks and recreation department would like to thank the community for their support, dedication and hard work that initiated this project and was paramount in receiving this grant,” Simeon said in a post on the department's Facebook page.
The project, he said in the post, compliments Healthy Places, an initiative of the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust aimed at improving the health and overall quality of life for people in the rural areas of North Carolina.
Simeon said in the post there is not an accurate timetable for the project but the design and building phase is expected to be approximately six months or longer. “This will not be an overnight project as we have to adhere to the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust guidelines, be responsible with the donations and sponsors and also keeping the lines of communication open with the community who have spent their time and efforts in making this vision become a reality.”
In an interview today, Simeon said, “Without these funds, we would have to scale down what the public wanted in a skate park.”
The grant, he said, now allows the city to construct a professionally designed facilty rather than a barebones park. “It allows us to build a premier skate park that I feel will be utilized not only by city residents, but by the county and neighboring counties.”
Simeon said he has already been in contact with Artisan Skateparks. The next step in the process is a review of the plans with Artisan and the public works department. “This allows us to go to a reputable contractor who can give us professional insight on how to put a concrete plan in action from the committee meetings. This gets us very close to what they would like to see for a community skateboard and BMX park.”
The decision to submit a grant application was based on several factors, Simeon said.
“One was a collaboration with the police department and them wanting to find a safe alternative for kids who skate in the streets and privately owned businesses. They received multiple phone calls about kids not having a good, adequate park.”
Police Chief Chuck Hasty said he was pleased with the news the grant was approved. “I think it's going to be a good asset to the community and somewhere for kids to go to have a place to skate and do their tricks.”
Simeon said another reason for applying was that it gives children not into traditional sports a place to go.
Meetings focused on the county recreation masterplan showed there was overwhelming support for such a park in Roanoke Rapids.
Simeon said the recreation advisory committee will meet next Thursday, May 21, at noon at T.J. Davis to go over the concept plan and gain input on rules and regulations.
He said he was pleased with the assistance from the charitable trust. “The Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust's involvement in Halifax County has been a true blessing for all the citizens in Halifax County so we can begin to discuss healthy options.”
