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Skateboarders raising money for new park

Efforts by the Havre Skateboarding Association to raise money for the construction of a city skate park are under way.

Members of the nonprofit organization will hold a skateboarding demonstration July 27 as part of the fourth annual Nothing But Net 3-on-3 basketball tournament.

"They're going to try to get donations to help raise money for the skateboard park," said Steve Evans, owner of Quench & Bench and president of the association. "I'm sure people will attend. There's going to be a lot of people downtown anyway."

City Council member Allen "Woody" Woodwick agreed.

"I think there's going to be some people wandering around downtown. It just looks like a good opportunity for the members of the association to get a little exposure," Woodwick said.

The demonstration will be in front of Retro Works on Fourth Avenue, which will be closed off between Second and Third streets.

The city is also making strides to raise money to build the park.

Earlier this month, the city applied for a grant through the state Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks for $24,900. Havre-based Bear Paw Development Corp. applied for the money, which the city must match dollar for dollar.

The project, according to Havre officials, could carry a price tag of as much as $150,000 to $200,000.

A location just below Robert Patterson Memorial Park has been designated as the site for the park, but, city officials say, that could change.

The city could know by late summer if it will receive the grant, said Paul Tuss, Bear Paw's executive director. Whether or not it gets the money, the city can change the location of the park, Tuss said, but would first need permission from the state.

The Patterson Park site, Woodwick said, is ideal. It's lighted, and includes other amenities like restrooms, basketball courts and a jogging path, he noted.

It's also centrally located, Woodwick said.

"The east end is really just right over the hill. The south end is fairly close, and so's the Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Avenue-area where I live," he said. "It's fairly central."

Still, Patterson Park is not a definite.

"Nothing is written in stone yet," said Dave Wilson, Havre parks and recreation director.

Other locations that have been discussed include First Bank Park near the Montana State University-Northern practice football field and the lot next to Taco John's on Fifth Avenue.

 

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