Private group looks to raise funds for skate park improvements

Hays Post

Skaters are looking to spruce up their digs at Aubel-Bickle Park, and are asking the city to allow them to begin to solicit private donations.

An aerial view of the existing skate park with the area proposed to be renovated in red. — An aerial view of the existing skate park with the area proposed to be renovated.

The request is up for discussion at Thursday’s Hays City Commission work session, scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.

The Western Kansas Skate Park Committee approached the city recently about raising funds for a $250,000 set of improvements at the skate park, which was built in the mid-1990s.

According to Parks Director Jeff Boyle, the city has budgeted for some improvements at the skate park in the coming years, “but the amount of funds would not come close to the $250,000 needed for the full expansion.”

Volunteers from the WKSC are proposing attempting to raise the funds in the community, and deposit them with the city.

A mostly unused roller hockey rink, which had its plywood walls taken down after a lack of interest, makes up about 60 percent of the space of the park and would be used to expand the areas that have ramps and other apparatus.

“Having a nice skate park provides a location for users to go and should reduce the desire to use structures, such as benches in downtown Hays, for skating purposes,” Boyle wrote in a memo to commissioners.

City staff will recommend approval of the expansion concept and authorizing WKSC to begin soliciting funds for the project.

A complete agenda for Thursday’s meeting can be seen HERE.