By MARGARET L. WILLIS

The concrete pad promised by the Chesterton Park Board for a local skateboard park should be in place soon.

Duneland Xtreme Sport Club president Bill Mullin reported to the Park Board Tuesday the group is “making headway on fundraising,” and that visible progress would likely prompt additional donations.

“If we can show advancement and progress, we can get commitments and others will follow,” Mullin said.

The project, now three years old Mullin noted, has the majority of funds, and in kind donations, secured and the conceptual plans ready.

“Continuing fundraising will obviously be necessary,” he said.

Setting a date for groundbreaking, excavation and laying of the slab will likely prompt a new round of support.

Rudy Sutton has offered his time and equipment to excavate the site, Mullin said. Possible concrete donations are being lined up.

“Let’s get it done,” was the enthusiastic response from Parks Superintendent Bruce Mathias. “It’s a go,” he added.

Board members responded similarly and asked if the group needed anything from the board or park department now, to help get the project going.

“The ground work is done,” said Mullin, saying the project will unfold in three distinct phases. Phase One, the cement pad; Phase Two, a portions of the ramps will be installed; Phase Three, finish the ramps as more funding becomes available.

Once the concrete is in place and some ramps are in place, it is possible sponsors for each new ramp installation can be found, Mullin said.

“Any further money which can be allocated,” from the park department could go a long way, Mullin added.

Once the pad is in place the community will give more, he said.

Once something is built “more will fall in place,” agreed board member Roy Flaherty.

Ongoing fundraising

Mullin told the board of a new connection the Duneland Xtreme Sports Club has made with an event staging organizer willing to help organize musical events which could draw large crowds and generate further fundraising.

Mullin proposed that park and Duneland Xtreme Sports Club could co-sponsor an event or events and share the proceeds.

Recent musical events featuring local teen bands have brought in an “amazing amount of local talent,” he said.

Board member Eric Witt and other board members agreed a dual fundraiser in future would be “a good idea,” but the first year should be “all for the Xtreme Sports Club,” said Flaherty.

Dogwood Park has a good deal of parking, open space and hard surfaces for dancing and band stage set-up.

Flaherty , ‘volunteered’ by his fellow board members, will attend the next Xtreme Sport Club meeting to help coordinate between the two boards.

Posted 5/8/2008