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Central Point OKs skate park money By BUFFY POLLOCK CENTRAL POINT � The City Council has directed staff to spend up to $150,000 on a site for a skateboard park. The action came at the request of the newly formed Skate Park Youth Committee, which has selected two possible sites for construction. Purchasing a site soon would help the committee in applying for an Oregon State Parks System grant, which would cover construction costs up to $250,000, according to Mack Lewis, father of skateboarder Dain Lewis, who is on the youth committee. The two sites under consideration are a lot near Jewett Elementary at 10th Street and Laurel and a site near Central Point Elementary. "The Jewett site has three potential lots but only two are for sale right now," said Lewis. "The one near CPE would not only offer a bigger area, but would have less impact on homes and provide a park in an area of the city without one. But we have to see if the idea flies with the school board," he explained. The committee hopes to select a site and complete its grant application by April 20. The committee includes three other skateboarders: Tony Drake, Phillip Fischer and Chaz Lytle. All four of the boys are freshmen at Crater High School. Lewis said a survey completed at a community meeting earlier this month confirmed the need for a skate park. Out of more than 100 skaters surveyed, 69 percent said they had been threatened with harm for skating on streets and private land and 67 percent had been asked by police to go somewhere else. "This indicates they are unwelcome on the streets," Lewis said. The youth committee has been raising funds for the project, asking businesses to donate $50 each. Dain Lewis told the council at a recent meeting that "out of 47 businesses, all but three offered support for the project, and most were willing to give more than the recommended $50." Mayor Bill Walton said the local support was encouraging. "That shows that the businesses in the city are behind the young people," he said. The grant application will be decided the first week of May. Lewis said construction would start as soon as a site could be secured. Those wishing to donate to the project may call Mack Lewis at 664-3947. Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.