Celina Skatepark Benefit

Letter to the Editor

2009-08-29T17:38:00.000-04:00

A Letter to Local Skaters

Thank you for this opportunity to update area skaters and supporters on the current status of the skatepark effort. Stay positive. The hard work of many is paying off. The Skate Day events and sales projects have raised the fund to nearly $20,000. On top of this, a $10,000 Tony Hawk Foundation Grant was recently accepted by the city.

For many years, skaters and their families have kept alive the dream of a skatepark. After much time and effort with skaters, Jeff Fortkamp originally established the skatepark fund at the Mercer County Civic Foundation. In these last 2½ years, a team of adults and skaters has continued the work. Many skaters, parents, and local businesses have joined Jony D, Ray, Ruth, Nancy, myself and countless others to sponsor, organize and supervise events. At your Skate Days we have registered 270 skaters of ages ranging from 3 to 30 representing twenty different communities from Darke, Auglaize, Mercer, and Van Wert counties.

In this last year, city personnel have been helpful and supportive with the Tony Hawk Grant application, designs and drawings. Skaters have been actively involved in the process. The beauty of your current design is that it is multi-functional. Walkers, roller skaters, inline skaters, and skateboarders will share an aesthetically pleasing concrete park. Places to sit and watch with a lunch or an ice cream are part of the design. Everything will be built to skate. In the final phase, water splash areas spring to life for the public to enjoy during those hot summer days. A walking path will encircle the park as well. Festival planning committees will find the concrete surfaces and features very useful should the project end up in the Lakeshore park area. Like other city parks, the “Celina Skate Plaza” will be open from dawn to dusk, free to all, and maintained by the city. Liability is no different from other public parks. This all-concrete park will serve many more than we originally dreamed.

Skaters, you have the support of many. Your fund continues to grow. A “people park” that you can skate safely is just around the corner. In the mean time, you must show respect to property and business owners, community members, and the law. You have inherited a bad reputation because of the bone-headed behavior of a handful of skaters who continue to attract the wrong kind of attention. Don’t skate where you’re not allowed. Work to win your community’s trust. Help sell “Go Skateboarding” cards and contact us with questions and comments through the website: www.celinaskatepark.com.

Keith

$10,000

2009-04-30T21:43:00.001-04:00

We are being awarded $10,000 from the Tony Hawk Foundation! With the nearly $18,000 we've raised so far, we're up to almost $30,000. Our goal is still $50,000 as we think that is what we need to build phase one. Visit www.celinaskatepark.com to see early designs that skaters have helped put together. STOP BY JONY-D's TO PICK UP "Go Skateboarding" discount cards. They sell for $5.00 and contain great discounts at local businesses - easy to sell!

UPDATE: Tony Hawk Grant Application

2009-03-09T12:54:00.000-04:00

Even though we haven't had any Skate Days during these cold months, we have been at work for the skatepark benefit. Jony-D has been working hard on the "Go Skateboarding" discount card sales. WE REALLY NEED MORE SKATERS TO HELP OUT WITH THIS EASY SALES PROJECT! For just $5.00 most people will support the park and get some great discounts at local businesses. I'd like to setup a Wal-Mart or Chief day to sell them to customers as they enter/leave the store. Soon, I hope.

We've also worked the last two months on completing the Tony Hawk Foundation Grant Application. It looks great! We are hoping for the maximum reward of $25,000. We should know something in May. Several Celina City officials put in hours to help out. They are truly on our side. We received letters of support from 3-4 city council members, the mayor, the chief of police, and even the county sheriff in support of a skatepark in Celina!

Watch the website for up-coming Skate Days in late April or early May as the weather turns nicer.

Contact Jony at Jony-D Images and PLEASE HELP SELL SKATE CARDS!!
Thanks,
Keith

Skatepark Update

2008-10-01T18:10:00.000-04:00

Since this past June, skaters have met with key players in the planning of a future skatepark in Celina. We've met local concrete contractor Matt Schwieterman who has been involved in the development of 3 skateparks - DC Skate Plaza, in Kettering being the most famous. We've also met with two Celina City officials who are working hard for us. Kent Bryan is the Community Developer here in Celina, and Jeremy Hinton is an engineer. We've met with one or both of them on 3 or 4 occasions just since August. Jeremy and Matt have also met, blending their knowledge and expertise.

At our last meeting Jeremy said that we would brainstorm one last time. He and his student helper are now drawing up a skatepark design based on the input of several of our local skaters. Everybody at the meeting seemed happy with the rough drafts and we're excited to see the professional renderings. Jeremy is running things through his professional CAD program and plans to have computer drawings finished in December. He will then provide 3-D renderings that we can post on our website.

Once we have these drawings in hand, we need to go full speed with community, club and corporate presentations to raise the rest of the money. The way I see it, momentum is building and we must push for a skatepark like never before. I have been told by at least three city officials that they realize now that we are not going away and something has to be done. This is the direct result of efforts by skaters, families and friends over the last 15 years or so!

We've raised just over $16,000. The city realizes that is a serious amount of money sitting in the Mercer County Civic Foundation that MUST be spent for a skatepark. Recently they have suggested that the park be built next to the Bryson Pool. Most of us like the idea, but it's not a done deal yet. More money needs to be raised and the City Council needs to be won over.

Spread the good word. Skate respectfully and work to win the trust of the city. We especially need to win local business owners who've been vandalized over the years. I know it's not always skaters but it's has been enough in the past that it's given skaters a rep. And we must also show our local police officers respect. They will talk about you as positively as you treat them. We need all of our city on our side.

Keep up the good work. More trust, less trouble - that needs to be our motto.

See you at the next Skate Day!
Keith

Pro-Skateboard Team will perform at the August 2nd Skate Day:

2008-07-14T18:48:00.000-04:00

Traveling all the way from Joplin, Missouri, a team of 2-3 Professional Skateboarders from Untitled Skateboards will put on a demonstration around 1:00 pm at the August 2^nd Skate Day at the Celina First Church of God on Fairground Road. They are bringing their own equipment to join you for our August 2^nd Skate Day. Don’t know anything about Untitled? Check ‘em out at www.untitledskateboards.com. Does the name Jud Heald ring a bell? I can’t promise he will actually be there but he is on one of Untitled’s two teams and might show up!

Skate Day is from 12:00 noon to 6:00 pm. $5.00 for skaters, spectators pay $2.00 to watch. All skaters must have a parent-signed waiver on file. SPREAD THE WORD. BRING EVERYBODY! Not only will this be a great time, but also we hope to raise a bunch of money for your new skatepark - coming soon!

ALSO: WE NEED HELP WITH THE TRANSPORTATION AND STORAGE OF RAMPS AND BOXES. If your families can help with trucks and/or trailers to transport things to and from skate day, and if you can store things after skate day, then CALL KEITH ASAP to volunteer your help.

Skate Day March 8th

2008-02-17T21:39:00.000-05:00

12:00 - 6:00 inside the old Celina Wal-Mart.

$5 to get in. Must have a parent-signed waiver to skate.
ALL PROCEEDS GO TOWARD THE FUTURE SKATEPARK!

Got ideas? Blog them here.

A Great Day!!

2008-01-09T13:46:00.000-05:00

What a day! We were averaging between 120 and 150 people for half the time. The bands were awesome. I got a little worried about the mosh pit activities. It looked more dangerous than skateboarding. YOU RAISED $900 FOR MARIA DONOVAN! This last year has been a lot of fun. Many people and area businesses have donated time and money to Skatepark. It's a great idea to give back once in a while.

Skate Day / Donovan Benefit

2007-12-17T22:10:00.000-05:00

Saturday, January 5, 2008, 12 noon to 10:00 pm inside the old Wal-Mart.
ADMISSION IS $5 FOR EVERYONE. Skaters must have a parent-signed waiver.

There will be live bands, food and games.

December Skate Day

2007-12-02T12:51:00.000-05:00

Saturday was a pretty good day. It was great to see skaters from St. Henry, Coldwater, St. Marys, and Rockford! One rolled ankle had to be sent for x-rays - dang it. I'll be writing soon with information about the January 5th BIG SKATE/YOUTH BENEFIT. I need to connect with the benefit coordinator for details.

NOVEMBER 3rd - SKATE DAY

2007-10-22T21:16:00.000-04:00

Anybody got any fresh ideas for a better Skate Day?

In case you were wondering…

2007-10-09T14:36:00.000-04:00

It was a typical September school day in 2006. Wes Elam sat in computer class working on a website about skateboarding. Mr. Gudorf asked him something like, “Why don’t you guys have a skatepark yet?” Wes replied something like, “We need money.”

Wes continued to tell the story of how he and other skaters had attended meetings and tried to get the city to build a skatepark in Celina. Soon Mr. Gudorf realized two things: First: Wes seemed to know a lot about the skatepark effort, and second: Skateboarders of Celina have been trying to get a skatepark built for a very long time.

Soon Wes was giving names, places and ideas faster than Mr. Gudorf could follow up on them. Wes, his friend Clayton, and Mr. Gudorf (Keith) set up a meeting with Mrs. Sharon LaRue, Mayor of Celina, and parks director, Mr. Jeff Fortkamp. Mr. Fortkamp showed the three the research he had personally done over the years including pictures of skateparks he had visited in surrounding communities. The Mayor was on the side of the skateboarders for sure. The bottom line: it will take $40,000 to get a skatepark in Celina.

As the three began to brainstorm moneymaking ideas, it was Wes who first said, “It’d be cool if we could have a Skate Day.” Mr. Gudorf said, “What do you mean?” Wes began to describe what he meant.

In the next few days, the first Skate Day had been scheduled for the Saturday during Thanksgiving break at the First Church of God parking lot on Fairground road in Celina. Jon Wenning, owner of Jony-D images was contacted and things really began to take off. Jony’s brother had recently bought a DJ system and was able to provide the music. Wes, Clayton, Caleb and Keith (Mr. Gudorf) rode around town with a borrowed trailer picking up all the neighborhood ramps, rails, boxes etc. to use for Skate Day.

Keith fired up the grill and made hotdogs. The Hannahs showed up as they have now for almost every skate day. McDonald’s donated the orange drink. Other food and snacks were donated for the day. We earned $150 on that first Skate Day with about 70 skateboarders in attendance.

That’s how this most recent effort got started. This year, Skate Days and fundraisers have added about $5,000 to the Celina Skatepark Fund for a grand total of just over $12,000.
Yes, we need more money, but the best thing to happen this year has been getting the word out to Celina and the surrounding communities that skateboarders need a place. If you have time, check out http://www.concretedisciples.com/skateparksdb/display_state.php?state=OH and see the good, the bad, and the ugly in the parks around Ohio. Celina doesn’t just need a skatepark, WE NEED A GREAT PARK!

Thanks to all those in the area who have been trying and helping to get a skatepark for the last who-knows-how-many years! IT CAN HAPPEN. WE CAN DO IT.

Skate Day #7

2007-10-09T11:59:00.000-04:00

On Saturday, October 6th we held our 7th Skate Day. The day ended with another $500 in the Celina Skatepark Fund. Everybody seemed to be having a good time. Jake's quarter-pipe was a popular spot. The Fresh Park equipment saw a lot of use as well. Thanks to all who gave and participated. We're hoping to schedule another soon.

In addition to the money collected during Skate Day, a few skaters (Tiffany, John, Jordan)turned in money from selling the "Go Skateboarding" discount cards. These sell for $10 and they're good until September 2008. Jony-D was able to get businesses to offer some amazing discounts on the front and back of the card. If you think you can sell some of these cards, then see Keith at school, or Jony-D at his shop to sign out a stack. Jony got 1000 of them printed at no cost so they are pure profit to the skatepark when you sell them!

CMS Skateboarders Meeting

2007-10-02T08:28:00.000-04:00

Yesterday after school Jony-D and Keith met with about 20 middle school skaters. We discussed the future plans for a skatepark. Jony-D is predicting that we'll have the funds necessary in two years. He said the city is on our side and ready, but WE have to come up with the money.

Keith (me) gave a run down of the money as of October 1st. We need $40, 000 to get this thing started. We currently have $10,686.90 in the Mercer County Civic Foundation skatepark fund and $1,122.72 in the Celina Skatepark Fund checkbook for a total of $11,809.62. This includes all of the money donated through Skate Day admissions, concessions, Beef Jerky sales, T-Shirt sales, "Go Skateboarding" card sales, the Hannah's donation in memory of Nate, business donations, personal donations, Lakefest and Ribfest donations, American Legion and Eagles donations, etc. Money was spent to buy Freshpark quarter-pipes, ramps, boxes and rails because of the complaints that we had nothing good to skate at our Skate Days. Jerky and T-Shirt sales more than paid for the equipment. We think it was a good and necessary investment for Skate Days and ultimately for the park.

In addition to dollar donations, let's not forget that we also receive donations of peoples' time and materials. Jony-D puts in a lot of time coming up with ideas and asking people and businesses for money and donations, the banner, etc. Thanks to Wal-Mart and the First Church of God we have places to skate for Skate Day.

"YOU (SKATEBOARDERS) ARE THE FACE OF THIS WHOLE EFFORT TO RAISE MONEY FOR A SKATEPARK." That's something like what Jony-D said that made perfect sense. Let's remember that people are always watching you everywhere you skate. What they think about you and your behavior is what they think about building a park. Good? or Bad?

MORE TRUST, LESS TROUBLE.
That's our motto.
kg

skate talk

2007-09-19T21:31:00.000-04:00

I'd like to start this blog to get your thoughts about Skate Day.