By Daniel Winningham
Nothing is imminent and no proposals have been given to city officials, but discussion continues about the possibility of constructing a skate park near the Perry Park Center.
City of Perryville Parks and Recreation Director Jim Cadwell gave those in attendance at the Park Board an opportunity to provide an update on the potential development of a skate park.
A four-person group of individuals, Dan Fritsche, Justin Perreault, Mike Warren and Tim Godlove have been gathering information about skate parks. All four stayed to discuss the matter further May 11 after the Park Board moved to other topics.
“As a group we need to get a plan together and go to the city council,” Cadwell said.
One of the locations being looked at is just south of North Street, and north of City Park Lane, east of the roundabout that connects to East Sainte Marie and Doerr streets.
Mayor Larry Riney, who was in attendance May 11, said the Board of Aldermen have essentially given the go-ahead.
Cadwell believes there is momentum building for a local skate park.
“I think everybody is on board,” Cadwell said.
His suggestion to those spearheading the effort should present an idea to city administrator Brent Buerck and possibly the city attorney.
Ward 1 alderman Tom Guth said the long-term maintenance of this type of project gets brought up a lot.
Those involved with the planning have gotten a preliminary layout of what a skate park near East North Street would look like if it was retrofitted into that specific location. Perrault said the artist’s rendering was modeled after a similar park design created in Hopkinsville, Ky.
The largest expense for the entire project would be concrete, according to Fritsche.
A skate park was located on the east side of Feltz Street, north of Chloe Street and west of Kiefner Street, before it was torn down by the city several years ago.
Back in December, a public meeting was held at Perryville City Hall to gauge the interest from the local community in possibly building another skate park, in a different part of the city.
While an official plan has yet to be presented to the Perryville Board of Aldermen, those involved in the discussion believe a new skate park of an estimated 7,000 square feet could cost between $200,000 and $250,000.
UPCOMING EVENTS (bold, subhead font)
Community Counseling Center will hold a “Health and Wellness Expo” Saturday, June 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Park Center.
Cadwell announced that the recreation department, in conjunction with United States Tennis Association Missouri Valley, plans on hosting a “Tennis for Beginners” program Tuesdays, June 14 through July 19 at the courts behind the Perry Park Center.
A trained instructor will be teaching four age groups, 5-7-year-olds, 8-10-year-olds, 11-14-year-olds and adults. Participants will receive an “age appropriate” tennis racquet as well as six lessons.
The city of Perryville is hosting a free bike rodeo Saturday, July 9, at the Bank of Missouri Soccer Park. Ages 6-9 is from 9 to 11 a.m. while ages 10-14 will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
For additional information, go to cityofperryville.com/events.
OTHER ITEMS (bold, subhead font)
With former Park Board member Clinton Rice getting elected to a spot on the Board of Aldermen, a replacement member will need appointed.
The City of Perryville’s Parks & Recreation Advisory Board meets the second Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at the Perry Park Center.
The next scheduled Parks & Recreation Committee meeting will take place June 8.
