2008 Woodie Awards
SectionsSkatepark takeover
Skate Park Association fights to keep ownership after lease expiration
Brad Boutaugh
Issue date: 12/4/07 Section: Features
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"Nobody owns it but you guys," Annette Weatherman, Skate Park Association Director, said. "You are the members and you are the non-profit and the non-profit is the skate park inside and out."
After mediation involving a new lease agreement failed, the park board started petitioning to remove the Skate Park Associa-tion from the skate park and assume ownership. The new lease was created upon the former lease's expiration on Oct. 31.
The park board's main concerns centered on the nature of police reports involved with the skate park, according to Louise Whall, park board director of public information.
The police reports ranged from assault to problems with noise as noted by neighbors within the community, Whall said.
"We have the best records in the city," Weatherman said. "It's not a security issue, it's not a liability issue. Maybe there is no issue. We run great."
Weatherman emphasized the park was being handled well under members young and old.
Members of the Skate Park Association's Board consisted of a mix of parents and of both older and adolescent members.
"All the allegations about all these police calls are falsified," Weatherman said. "We've had the fewest number of police calls in the park. The park works harmoniously."
The Skate Park Association had met with members at the skate park last Wednesday, to discuss the issue and to vote on how to respond to the feud on ownership.
Most, if not all of the members, who attended the meeting, filling the skate park's mezzanine, agreed to work towards keeping the park.
"It's not necessary," said Jessie Bowers, senior at Kickapoo High School. "It's been going great here since I've been in seventh grade."
Blaine Hauschel, a senior at Parkview high school, said there have not been any problems with the skate park and the switch in ownership was unnecessary.
The Dec. 17 city council meeting will discuss a bill that would confirm the park board's ownership.
The bill discussed at the council meeting will, if passed, allow the park board to enter into a new lease agreement versus extending the old one with the Springfield Public Sch-ool District.
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