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Construction of skatepark begins
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Posted on Apr 30 2008
Local skateboarding enthusiasts celebrated on Monday as they witnessed the start of construction of Saipan’s first skatepark.
The fence was finally put up on Monday as workers began bringing in equipment and materials to be used for the construction of the CNMI Skatepark.
A group of skateboarders and skateboard supporters gathered last Saturday at the Garapan Central Park where the new skatepark would soon be erected. The area near the Garapan Roundhouse will become the skatepark once the project is completed in late August of this year.
Saipan Rotary Club member Laurie Peterka, who is at the forefront of the project, said the notice to proceed for the construction was granted last week by the Northern Marianas Housing Corp.
The funding for the skatepark project is a combination of Saipan locally legislated funds, federal CDBG funds, and Rotary funds.
The Saipan Rotary together with the Island Skate Society, ISK8, board members Scott and Dee McClarin and advisers Gayle Martin and Dennis Yoshimoto have all been working on the project for over three years
Peterka said the project team will continue to enhance the park’s aesthetics and safety by providing new picnic tables and seek additional funds for a traffic light and crosswalks to Saipan’s multi-cultural park.
ISK8 is a non-profit organization promoting a safe community for skateboarders.
“We work as a community based group to promote skate safety by building public skate parks. Saipan has an estimated skate community of 200 skaters, and is rapidly growing,” said Peterka.
“With the support from our community we can celebrate the affordable and healthy hobby/sport of skateboarding.
For more information, email ISK8 at islandsk8@gmail.com or check out their website at islandsk8.googlepages.com/home.
