The city will be putting out requests for designs by early May, and construction is expected to begin by next spring, said Parks and Recreation Director Donna Gaukler.
"I'd love to see kids skateboarding next summer," she said, adding that she's looking forward to trying it herself.
The association is responsible for raising the remaining $250,000, with about $57,000 in the bank. Organizer Chris Bacon said he is hoping $100,000 or so will come from in-kind donations from contractors, once the plans for the park are complete.
Association members have a number of ongoing fund-raisers. They periodically hold skateboarding video premieres at the Crystal Theatre, with the next one coming up May 7. There's a pay-to-ride skate ramp inside Board of Missoula. They're selling T-shirts. And they've struck a deal with BFI that allows people to donate aluminum cans for the park by either dropping them off at Board of Missoula or taking them to BFI's recycling location and telling the person in attendance that they're for the skatepark.
The association will also be working with Big Sky Brewing Co. to provide parking and beverages for a summer concert series.
But what Bacon said they could really use is a few motivated parents with a little time on their hands to help rally support.
"That's the way it works in every other town," he said. "You get a concerned parent."
For more information, or to help out, visit the association's Web site at www.missoulaskatepark.org, or contact Bacon. He can be reached by phone at Board of Missoula, 721-7774, or by e-mail at bacon@boardofmissoula.com.
Reporter Ericka Schenck Smith can be reached at 523-5259 or at esmith@missoulian.com.
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