WELLINGTON NORTH – As the clock turned from morning to afternoon on Jan. 18, the township here hadn’t received a single design proposal by deadline for the much anticipated Brent Barnes Memorial Skatepark in Arthur.
Plans for a skatepark have been in limbo since the idea was originally proposed in 2017-18 by late Arthur resident and longtime Arthur Lions Club member Brent Barnes, who died on Dec. 30, 2018 and for whom the park is named.
An anonymous $100,000 donation last year put new life into the concept and a skatepark committee buckled down to get the wheels rolling for installation on Arthur’s former fairgrounds at 308 Tucker Street, behind the Arthur Optimist Pavilion, in advance of Arthur’s 150th celebration this summer.
One-and-a-quarter hours after the deadline for design submissions closed, a proposal from Innerkip-based Canadian Ramp Company landed with plans for a skate park, pump track and BMX track.
But it didn’t conform to the proposal request put out by the township last year.
A BMX track concept had been removed from consideration last fall in favour of focusing limited dollars on the skate and pump track elements, and the configuration of the park didn’t match what the advisory committee was after.
With no other bidders, the township agreed to consider the company’s proposal, and began working with Canadian Ramp Company to take another run.
A second proposal arrived at a later date. It was $20,000 over budget due to requests for height extensions on some park elements and it did not include the BMX portion.
The skatepark’s advisory committee discussed increasing height on a half and quarter pipe, combining designs of the skatepark from the first proposed design and the pump track from the second, and timely delivery of equipment.
A graphic rendering, provided to the township by Canadian Ramp Company, illustrates what features will look like at the future Brent Barnes Memorial Skatepark in Arthur. (Canadian Ramp Company graphic, used with permission)
Prior to placing an order, the committee wanted a commitment from Canadian Ramp Company that deadlines could be met.
The company advised that the Wellington North install could end up being its first of the year and wanted a decision as soon as possible.
An email excerpt from the company, provided in a recreation, parks and leisure committee agenda, stated: “We are currently at a 10 [to] 12-week turnaround for time of order to installation so there will not be any issue having this project completed by early summer.”
The committee, taking input from the skatepark advisory committee, recommended to council that the Canadian Ramp Company be awarded the contract for the Brent Barnes Memorial Skatepark at $170,294 plus tax – $9,706 under the $180,000 budgeted.
The committee also took advice from the company not to add height to half and quarter pipes out of consideration for junior boarders.
Council awarded the contract as recommended at a Feb. 22 meeting.
An image illustrates the layout and measurements of a skatepark design for the future Brent Barnes Memorial Skatepark. (Canadian Ramp Company graphic, used with permission)
As of Jan. 26, there was $176,645 available from the township and $40,000 from the Arthur Lions for the project, totalling $216,645.
Three to four years ago, when the Arthur Lions Club was forming early ideas for the skatepark, member Al Rawlins had reached out to the Canadian Ramp Company for project quotes.
Providing an idea as to how much material costs have risen over the years, Rawlins told the Advertiser an estimate at the time came in at $130,000 for similar skatepark elements to be built this year.
Pleased with the forward momentum, Rawlins said, “I never thought we’d make it here to this point.”
The Lions Club is looking after the concrete pad, pathway stones and signage at a cost of at least $30,000, although the total is likely to be much higher, and is hoping for additional donations and participation in upcoming fundraisers.
Ward 3 councillor and skatepark committee chair Lisa Hern said everyone is crossing their fingers for a June 15 completion date, and a July 1 grand opening, coinciding with the Arthur 150th festivities taking place between June 30 and July 4.
“We have a great company who is willing to work with us and they’re done quite a few reputable parks,” the councillor said of Canadian Ramp Company, which has completed installs in Ingersoll, Kitchener, and Blandford-Blenheim, to name a few.
“I’m pretty excited it’s going to look this nice,” Hern added.
A graphic rendering, provided to the township by Canadian Ramp Company, illustrates what features will look like at the future Brent Barnes Memorial Skatepark in Arthur, including a modular pump track. (Canadian Ramp Company graphic, used with permission)
There are sponsorship opportunities available through the Arthur Lions Club to raise money for further additions to the park, whether picnic tables or other skateboard elements.
A sponsorship sign will be added to the grounds listing the names of individuals and businesses donating over $2,000 to the project and tax receipts will be issued to donors until April 1.
Hern lauded the ongoing work of township staff on the project, specifically naming township director of operations Matt Aston.
“It’s exciting – I guess that’s my feeling about the whole thing,” Hern said.
Once the spring thaw arrives, a five-inch concrete slab will be poured forming the foundation for Arthur’s first skatepark.
Arthur resident Jack Baker, who is a youth member on the skatepark’s advisory committee and has raised money for the park, said the quarter pipes, half pipe, staircase and grind rails will provide some decent equipment for skaters.
“It’s so exciting to have a skatepark actually coming in,” he said. “I’ve been waiting for this for years.”
