At a news conference at the Missoula Redevelopment Agency on Monday, organizers announced that construction will begin on the new skatepark in McCormick Park, perhaps as soon as Feb. 27. The construction work will be performed by Grindline Skateparks Inc., a Seattle-based company that specializes in skatepark construction.
“This is a big deal for us,” said Matt Fluegge, project manager with Grindline. “It's going to be the best finish ever. Š We're all really excited about this job.”
The remaining portion of the skatepark - the so-called “street” section, which includes rails, steps, curbs, and other such features - will be reserved for a second phase of construction.
The split-phase construction schedule is necessary in order to abide by a summer 2006 construction deadline that was set by the Missoula Redevelopment Agency when it dedicated $175,000 in tax increment funding to the project.
“A couple months ago, we realized: This has to happen now, so how can we do it?” said Chris Bacon, one of the founders and leaders of the Missoula Skatepark Association. “This (approach to construction) is the result of pondering those options and coming up with something that worked.”
The first phase of construction is expected to cost $229,620. That's almost exactly the amount of money that the Missoula Skatepark Association has in the bank, according to MSA organizer Ross Peterson.
Construction of the skatepark was originally expected to commence last autumn, but was delayed when it was determined that both of the two prequalified construction contractors - Grindline and Dreamland Skateparks LLC of Lincoln City, Ore. - lacked the bonding capacity required for projects that are funded with Missoula Redevelopment Agency money. Since neither of the two prequalified companies could bid the project, the MRA had to readvertise the project to a broader pool of bonded contractors, with the requirement that whoever bid the project hire either Grindline or Dreamland as a subcontractor.
Only one qualified company, JTL Group of Missoula, submitted a bid during that period. Total price: $866,955 - about twice the anticipated cost of building the skatepark.
So skatepark organizers and the MRA agreed to look for other means to manage the project, to avoid the issue of bonding capacity. They settled on an agreement whereby the Missoula Skatepark Association would be in charge of advertising the project and hiring the contractor.
MRA will still offer project oversight, with administrative help from Abbotswood Design Group of Spokane. That agreement mirrors the approach of other recent construction projects such as Brennan's Wave, the Madison Street footbridge, and renovation of the Missoula Art Museum.
“These guys (of the Missoula Skatepark Association) don't do project management Š They skate,” said Ellen Buchanan, executive director of the MRA. “We'll make sure all the I's are dotted and the T's are crossed so that the project moves smoothly.”
MSA organizers remain hopeful that they'll be able to raise enough funds in the coming months to piggyback the second phase onto the end of phase one construction. Otherwise, the remaining portions of the park will have to be built at a later date.
With about $150,000 needed in additional funds for phase two, organizers admit that it's going to be a race to the finish line.
“Now that we have a first phase, with a time line and (dollar) number attached, we hope it'll be easier for people to get behind the project or to donate again,” said Peterson.
“I think once this phase has been built, the community will see what a huge need it has been,” added Bacon.
At least one local donor recently recognized that need in a big way. At Monday's press conference, officials from First Interstate Bank announced a donation totaling $5,000 toward phase one construction of the skatepark.
According to Sue Larew, vice president of First Interstate, the donation was offered for reasons both civic and pragmatic.
“We have a lot of (skateboarders) in our parking lot,” said Larew. “So we're really thrilled about this Š . It's going to be a great asset to the community.”
Skate on
The Missoula Skatepark Association still needs to raise approximately $150,000 in order to complete all phases of construction at the planned skatepark in McCormick Park. Visit www.missoulaskatepark.org for more information.
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