As construction in Dana Park attracts interest, eager skaters are waiting for the July opening of the city’s skate park in Dana Park.

Two vendors have proposed using part of the Al Vigil Swim Center for skate shops selling skateboards and safety equipment alongside other skate gear.

Michael Sanchez of Majic Board Shop submitted one of these proposals. His proposal suggests his shop would be open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. In his proposal, he requites that he pay only utilities and the cost of needed improvements for six months and that negotiations for a fair market rate follow.

Steven Frazier submitted the second proposal, which proposes paying the same as a vendor at the Sportspark and a percentage of revenue. Frazier’s proposal suggests also that he would volunteer time to work with skaters at the park. Expenses would be covered by personal funds and investors, according to the proposal. Suggested business hours are noon to 8 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays.

City staff are researching fair market value and will make a recommendation to the City Council at an upcoming meeting. Meanwhile, Parks and Recreation Department coordinator Jeanette Hayhurst has dreams such as skate camps and demonstrations for parents that she’d like to see happen in the park eventually. Perhaps a forum for skaters to teach one another the etiquette of skating (i.e., how far to stay away from other skaters).

She’s confident that the park — designed with input from area skaters — will reduce incidents of illegal skateboarding around town.

“This is the right place to skate, and it should be the best place to skate,” she said.

Programs

The skate park is the most visible parks and rec. project in the works, but the department is also working on a number of other goals, including improving and increasing programs. Hayhurst said she expects 2008 to be a “breakout” year for parks and rec. programming — classes she hopes will be financially self-sustaining.

According to a public document, the department’s 2007 goals are:
1) Staffing & Employment Development
2) Obtain additional funding & leverage resources
3) Conduct safety & Water Audits
4) Improve and increase programs

Some of the specific sub-goals stated include:
• Customer service training for employees
• Obtain grants for Al Vigil Center
• Seek advice and possibly funding to reduce water use
• Re-establish programs (classes, tournaments, summer programs) that have been lost
• Establish new programs (striving for each program to at least “break even”)
- Clean up hiring process
- Create a city-wide master calendar of recreational events

— Stevie St. John