Brightspeed, which will contribute $15,000, has come onboard as a sponsor of the Emry Park Skatepark project following approval by Roanoke Rapids City Council Tuesday night.

Parks and Recreation Director Kelly Daughtry told the council the company had approached the city about sponsorship opportunities. “We gave them several different choices and they had an interest in the Emry Skatepark.”

Daughtry said the $15,000 which will be paid before the end of the month would give the internet service provider some naming rights of the skatepark with those and other benefits to run for 10 years after the park’s completion. “That doesn’t exclude us from accepting funding for projects at other places from (Brightspeed’s) competitors. We just wanted to bring this before you so that we can keep moving forward.”

City Manager Kelly Traynham said, “I’d like to recognize our parks and recreation department and all our city employees. We rely on sponsorships, especially in parks and recreation, and contributions from community organizations. We appreciate them and we appreciate the generosity and the efforts of the community to contribute to different projects.”

“We are delighted to confirm our participation in the development of the Emry Park Skatepark,” Brightspeed said in an April 3 letter to Traynham.

The letter noted how a local group formed a fundraising effort to demolish some of the existing tennis courts at the park at a total project cost of $60,000. “The city of Roanoke Rapids has contributed $15,000 and the local citizens group has raised $30,000. Brightspeed will donate $15,000 to assist the team in reaching their goal of $60,000.”

Justin Kerr, who spearheaded the effort for a public skate space to help improve the park, said this morning, “We are so excited to have Brightspeed come on as a sponsor for the skatepark. This is definitely the final piece of the puzzle to get the project done.” 

Kerr said the group has been working on getting quotes to build the park “and we definitely need this extra money to make this happen. We are extremely thankful for Brightspeed wanting to support our community project.”