Roanoke Rapids Parks and Recreation Director John Simeon recommended during a budget work session Monday that the city move to complete the proposed Emry Park skatepark project.
His recommendation comes after a group interested in the project has raised $17,000 in cash and the lead organizer has received a commitment from a local contractor to donate the demolition of the abandoned tennis courts at the park and has also agreed to donate the supply and replacement of the rock base layer for the concrete.
“They have done a fantastic job in trying to help the city with one of our eyesores,” Simeon told the council during the work session. “If you go to Emry Park it’s probably one of the largest eyesores we have and that’s the tennis courts. We need them demolished for several reasons.”
Simeon said the cost to upgrade the lighting is $4,000 and the cost of concrete is $40,000. “If you use the $17,000 that they’ve already raised we’re down to $27,000 to complete this project.” Simeon said, “I go back and I really applaud this group and the way they’ve handled themselves and the way they spoke to you, respected the city. I think we’re at a point now where they have probably reached their peak in what they can secure from the community at this point. To secure $17,000 and someone to come in and handle the demolition and the crush and run is pretty impressive. I would highly recommend that you think about finishing this project.”
He said one way the project could be completed is through the use of the city’s share of the occupancy tax rate collected by the Halifax County Convention and Visitors Bureau. “You could ask the HCVB to assist you on half of that and the city could put in half of that and that’s a project that gets completed that we have been trying to complete for over five years. We’ve not been able to get on the tennis courts for five years and it takes an eyesore out.”
He said, “It’s also something we could all be proud of when we look at the community and working together. It’s an opportunity to complete a project which will allow children and families to learn how to skate at Emry Park and repurpose and complete it.”
Councilman Wayne Smith told Simeon if the occupancy tax was needed the request needs to go before the council so the city manager can send a letter to the HCVB requesting a share of the city’s occupancy tax funds be used for the Emry project.
“Next meeting we’ll decide which project that the council wants to see accomplished using the $70,000,” City Manager Kelly Traynham said .
The $70,000 is the city’s share of the occupancy tax funds.
“I couldn’t be happier to hear that Mr. Simeon has proposed that the city find it in the budget to help us finish the project,” said Justin Kerr, one of the organizers behind the effort. “He has been nothing but the best to work with, always staying positive, giving words of encouragement, and helping us in any way he can.”
Kerr said regardless of what the city decides to do the organizers still have its September 7 fundraising day planned. “We plan to keep these a semiannual event because I can see the spark of interest in the city kids since our last event. Between the two raffles and donations we received we raised just at $5,000. The next will hopefully be an even bigger success with all funds going to the project, regardless of the city’s decision.”
Kerr said, “I feel this is a worthwhile project that this city deserves and I plan to see it through to the end.
“The kids of this city are the future of this city. I think we need to give the kids of this city somewhere safe to go and express themselves, I see it. I know John Simeon sees it, I know this project has been something he’s wanted to see done for a long time, and I’m honored to be able to say I got to work with him.”
