By Heather Killen
The Spectator
NovaNewsNow.com
Middleton’s skate park committee is putting together the final details in a plan it hopes to present for council’s consideration this spring.
Brooke Southcote, of the Middleton recreation department, said the 33-member committee, which has been meeting twice a month since last fall, is putting together a proposal to build a skate park in the town.
The group of mostly kids, parents, and business people have researched potential sites, and designs; compared parks in Annapolis, Windsor, Spryfield, New Minas, and Fall River; and have been talking to skate park designers.
The group has identified a possible site in Centennial Park and is looking at a heart-shaped design that would compliment the town’s Heart of the Valley theme. Southcote said the group is putting together a list of financial estimates and when all the details are ready, the group will ask to present the ideas at council.
They are compiling material costs and looking at possible grant sources and fundraisers they can organize to help pay for the park. If all goes as planned, they hope to present the proposal to town council in the near future.
Chris Hiltz, a member of Cool Moves BMX (CMB), says the group started two summers ago with six riders and has quickly grown to 25 members. The group often travels to Windsor, Amherst, and Chester in order to find a skate park big enough to allow the bikes to practice.
“CMB was super excited to hear the news that Middleton would consider a skate park,” he said. “Brooke’s work organizing the committee has shown there is a lot of work that goes into planning, designing, and raising the funds to get a park. Even so the members attend the meetings, and are willing to work with the hope their dream will come true.”
Cool Moves BMX will be doing a demo at Middleton’s March Madness event on March 16 (weather permitting). This event will take place at Rotary Park from 1 to 3 p.m. and offers fun, games, sports, prizes, and refreshments for the whole family.
Southcote added that the kids and the designers of the park are working on a plan to create something that is unique to Middleton.
“The kids are doing a great job,” she said. “They realize this is a long process and if it’s approved, it will take a lot of time and work. But this is not just about sports, it’s about being involved in the community and working towards something positive.”
