SkateIgnatius is open for business
Randy Ingram, seen here in the mayor’s office last October, shortly before stepping down, was credited with leading Polson through major growth and change.
By Karen Peterson
Leader staff
ST. IGNATIUS — For those that have been waiting for the construction on the skate park to be completed, wait no more. Phase one of the skate park is finished.
On Monday morning the park officially opened, and kids who had been waiting for months for a place to skate headed to the park. Most of them stayed until dark.
"The review is that this park is 'sick', which is the highest praise you can get in the skating culture," coordinator Kristie Nerby said.
In order to keep the park a safe place, there are a few simple but mandatory rules.
"The park is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and that is a city park ordinance. No scooters or bikes because the park is not designed for them and it will tear it up, protective gear is recommended and so using the park is at your own risk. No wax or soap, no foul language or bad attitudes, and, the most important rule, alcohol, drugs and tobacco are strictly prohibited — not allowed at all," Nerby said.
The first phase of the skating park covers a 7,000 square foot area of Taelman Park, next to the historic Catholic Church on the south side of the city.
Skaters can experience an eight-foot-deep clover shaped bowl. An entrance is available for those who don't feel like they can "drop in." A quarter pipe, rails, stair sets, and walls are also a part of the first phase.
"The boulder is a signature of the park, and it's bordered by two rails. I was told that, nowhere in the world is there another one like it. We have some advanced elements and some easier, flatter areas. There is something for all skating levels, and roller skates are welcome too," she said.
The first phase was completed ahead of schedule.
"Dream Land did a great job. They finished ahead of schedule. We just weren't going to be able to keep the kids off of it so we opened it early, and, this way, we can get kids skating during the summer to give them something to do," Nerby said.
The mud is the only hazard to opening early. The heat has kept it pretty solid, but an extra pair of shoes wouldn't be a bad idea on a rainy day.
"Some landscaping still needs to be done and we need to clean up the construction stuff. Right now, it looks like it is ready for sod," Nerby said. "The availability of water will determine when we can get that put in. We want to put sod on part of the ground but we can't afford to sod all of it so we will put some seed on the rest," she said. "But, kids can still enjoy the park. The reason we did this in the first place was to give kids something to do and now they've got a few more weeks of summer to enjoy it."
Nerby is still taking donations for the second phase of the project that could be started as soon as next summer if funds are available. Folks can contact her at 745-4888.