We've Got The County Covered
We've Got The County Covered
This designer's rendering shows an aerial view of the proposed skate park to be constructed this fall in Chinook. The 3000 square foot facility will be located on the old parking lot south of the Chinook City Pool in Sweet Park (corner of Pennsylvania Street and 9th Street West) and is expected to take three to four weeks to complete. The Chinook Lions Club is spearheading the project and is looking for matching cash and in-kind donations in order to get the skate park built this coming fall. (the arrow indicates the edge of the existing wading pool at the Chinook City Pool).
The Chinook Lions Club was notified that work could begin this fall on the new skate park. The skate park will be a totally new facility to be built at the southwest corner of 9th Street West and Pennsylvania Street-directly behind the Chinook City Pool on the old parking lot. Per a representative of Evergreen Skateparks, the pool builders, "The project is a little short on funding so construction cannot begin this summer as hoped."
The idea of a skate park in Chinook was first discussed at a regular Lions Club meeting in the fall of 2021. A number of young men and women had just joined the club. Newly selected club President Jay Eslick was soliciting ideas for new projects with an eye to 2025 when the club will celebrate its 100th anniversary. Eslick noted, "We need a project that reflects how this club has served the community for a century." Club members discussed and agreed to pursue the idea of a skate park.
Funding the Chinook Skate Park
Part of the initial discussion of a skate park centered around the fact that Jeff Ament, the bass player for Pearl Jam, was offering help through his foundation to communities interested in building a skate park. In the fall of 2022 Jeff Ament's foundation, Montana Pool Service, was contacted and agreed to provide $50,000 to help fund the Chinook project. The foundation's goal is "To build world-class skateparks and connect the youth communities in Montana through skateboarding and the arts." To date the foundation has supported more than thirty skate parks in Montana alone. The foundation pledged an additional $50,000 for the Chinook project if an equal amount could be secured through local fund raising. It's estimated the cost will be about $150,000 to build the skate park.
Per the contractors this project is a "small park" and will be about 3000 square feet. Probable time to build the skate park is estimated at three to four weeks. The contractor's crew of expert skate park builders moves to the area where each skate park is being built.
The Chinook Lions have been doing special fundraising to match the second $50,000 grant. Last fall the club used a recently purchased portable cooker to prepare pronto pups, like those they sell at the Blaine County Fair each year, at the Drool in the Pool event. The Drool...event is the last official use of the swim pool each fall. Money raised from selling pronto pups was designated to help match the grant for the skate park construction.
The club will be selling pronto pups and other food items at the upcoming swim meet on June 15 and 16. A couple of weeks later Chinook Lions will join the local volunteer firefighters to prepare breakfast during the All-Class Reunion on July 5 and 7 at the fairgrounds. All funds generated by the Lions at these events will go toward matching the grant to move the skate park forward.
To date about $14,000 has been raised to match the second $50,000 grant. Chinook Lions are also writing other grants, seeking additional individual gifts and exploring ways 'in-kind' goods and services can be used and counted toward matching the grant. Individuals can make a tax-free donation through Chinook's local Community Chest. Checks should be made payable to the Community Chest with "for Chinook Skate Park" written on the memo line. Mail gifts to PO Box 114, Chinook, MT 59523.
There are also a number of ways to provide "in-kind" goods and services for the project that will count toward funding the grant. Among goods and services that can be donated in kind are: temporary construction fencing; a temporary dumpster, 30-40 yards; forming lumber; rebar-#3 grade 60; base/fill material-3/4" minus or road base; a skid steer; excavator work; roller-single drum; concrete-4000 psi shotcrete mix; housing for Evergreen Skateparks crew (3-4 weeks); demolition-ground preparation along with cleaning and disposal and a drain line-supplies and install. For details about an in-kind donation please call Jay Eslick at 406-262-4331.
A skate park will provide additional recreational opportunities for kids and adults in our area. Please help the Lions help the community by giving your support in any way or at any level you can. The Lions Club and community thank you.
