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Council gets $5,000 from skateboarders
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Carol Broeder/Range News By Carol Broeder/Arizona Range NewsThe Willcox Skate Park Committee presented the City of Willcox with a check for $5,000 earlier this month.
Committee Chairman Mitchell Rios introduced "the core of the Skate Park Committee kids" Justin Castro, Noah Van Haren, Wesley Schofield, and Elijah Sheppard. Each expressed his view that if a skate park were built in Willcox, it would lessen drug abuse by keeping kids busy, focused on school, and help keep kids off the streets and away from alcohol and methamphetamine. They said a skate park would benefit the city by keeping kids from doing illegal things, such as vandalizing businesses or school property. A skate park would bring other people into town to spend money in Willcox by buying gas, food, or even staying overnight in a motel. The boys pointed out that there are many young skaters who are the future of skateboarding and want a skate park as much as the older ones do. "The little skaters need a place to skate so that they do not get in trouble and they can skate safely." Seven-year-old Elijah Sheppard, who has been skating for almost a year, read a statement to the council and presented his drawing of what he wants the Willcox skate park to look like. "I like to skate because it is fun to learn tricks, and I get to hang out with the big guys. Maybe someday I'll be a professional skater," said Sheppard, adding that to achieve that goal he needs to practice, but has nowhere to practice in Willcox "because I get into trouble skating on sidewalks." "The Skate Park Committee has money to give to the city to start building a skate park," he said. "If you get stuck, ask us for help." Mitchell Rios told the council that the committee has done "a lot of work and met many of the criteria" set forth by the council. "We were asked by the mayor and council to form a committee and it has been formed," he said. "We have been in existence over a year and have raised some money. What is holding us back right now is grant assistance because we do not have a 501(c3)." Rios said he contacted several cities and was told, "not one child worked and raised money for their skate park. I found that 100 percent of the funding came from one person with help from the city managers." He then asked City Manager Mike Leighton for assistance in getting a grant application underway and finalized. Leighton replied that he has no personal objection, but that it is up to the mayor and council for their approval. "I work for them," he added. Councilman Robert Sherwood commented that last week at the Arizona League of Cities and Towns Conference there were some 50 youth committees from different cities throughout Arizona. "I asked them about skate parks in their communities, and they said the most successful parks built were the ones where the kids earned it," said Sherwood, adding that those who did not earn it "lost their skate park to vandalism and drugs." After the check presentation, Councilwoman Monika Cronberg commended the members of the committee for all their work, knowing how hard it is to do. "When something is earned it is truly valuable," she said. Cronberg said she is concerned that this has been a "talking point" with the council for more than a year now. "They were directed to go back and raise more money. How many will stay if they only accomplish one thing?" she said. "What do we have to do to take the first step?" Cronberg said she is concerned about citizens in need having their needs addressed by the council. "They are young and have goals to be professional skaters and without a place to skate, they cannot proceed," said Cronberg, adding that another community concern is a Senior Center. "I am voicing my frustration because part of it has been accomplished and as a city, we need to take step one to do what we have to do," she said. "The committee has worked in good faith, so we need to do that and work on step two and so on." Councilman Jimmy Norris asked if the committee has gone to local businesses for help, to which Rios replied that he went business-to-business with a letter about a year ago, and that some have been generous and donated to this cause. "We have not re-addressed that and are working as our next goal to re-address the businesses," Rios said. Councilman Phil Stratton said he has supported the skate park from the beginning. He suggested the city give the committee a letter for the funds they have raised, with which they could go to businesses and say the city is supporting them. Stratton said he has had interaction with kids in the past, chastising them for where they were skating, but also encouraging them not to lose their enthusiasm. "I know some that are still skating in their 30s and 40s," he said. Sherwood asked about the cost for the cement slab. "They have shown they are serious with the $5,000 donation, and we need to show we are serious as well and back them," he said. Dave Bonner, director of public service and works, said he didn't remember the exact figures. Cronberg added that several months ago it was $8,000, and now the cost has "probably increased." Rios replied that last November the estimate from a local vendor was just under $15,000 for a 4,000 psi 90 x 40-foot slab with eight-inch footers. Former Public Works Director Ryan Benavides suggested stronger psi for longevity, but Rios believes that a four-inch slab would still sustain through wear and tear and would be priced just over $10,000. Vice Mayor Rodriguez asked what area they are considering, and Bonner replied it is the southeast parking lot or west of the pool. Rodriguez asked if the staff could get an estimate. Bonner then asked Rios if they had a contractor, and Rios replied that it is "just materials." Bonner said he is assuming that city employees would finish the work, and it is a large area. "This is not something they can take on over the next couple of months," he added. Cronberg said she understood that, but hoped that the city could establish a date, have another skatepark demonstration and some fundraisers "and work together for a senior center, too." Mayor Woody Johnson thanked Rios and the skaters for their presentation, and for stepping forward and putting in all the hours and work they have put into it. "It is not just a vision, it is a quality of life issue and I think this council wants to see it through," he said.
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