We've Got The County Covered
We've Got The County Covered
By Bob Feist
BCJ News
The Chinook Skatepark is expecting a date in September for groundbreaking, and project manager Jay Eslick is excited and nervous. "Evergreen Skateparks and Jeff Ament contacted me awhile ago, and said we are ready to go, but I said we don't have the money raised yet. They said don't worry about it, but I'm worried," said Eslick. Ament is a bassist for the rock group Pearl Jam and a Big Sandy native. He has helped fund many skateparks in Montana.
The skatepark was originally planned for the area where the old swimming pool was, but had to be moved because of conflicts with the new pool. The new location will be down by the softball field.
Right now, the skatepark fund has raised close to $25,000, about half of what is needed for the match through Evergreen. Eslick is hoping to draw attention and get more donations through a series of upcoming fundraising events.
Most of the money is raised through the Lion's Club and some pronto pup sales. Recently, the Lion's purchased a portable deep fryer so they are able to serve the pups outside the fair. Most notably, Pronto Pups were sold during last year's Christmas Stroll and this year's swim meet.
Events coming up include The Drool in the Pool on September 7, and most notably the Sugarbeet Festival on September 28. There are also plans to sell pups at the Meat Shoot at the Rod and Gun Club on Oct. 5. Other fund-raising ideas are also in the works.
"We are also hoping for in kind donations to help with construction. Every little bit helps," said Eslick. Any donations would be appreciated and can be sent to Eslick at PO Box 786. "Just make checks out to Community Chest with the comment, 'skatepark' on the memo line."
