G.I. Parks and Recreation Director Todd McCoy prepares to cut the ribbon at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the renovated Pier Park Skatepark, (Carol Bryant, Central Nebraska Today)
GRAND ISLAND – While the ribbon cutting ceremony was occurring for the new Pier Park Skatepark Sept. 25, numerous skateboarders were trying out the new skatepark.
This is the first renovation to the skatepark in nearly 25 years. Demolition of the old steel and wood structures began on April 14. Artisan Concrete Services oversaw the removal of the existing features and led construction of the new facility.
The upgraded skatepark features modern, durable concrete elements commonly found at leading skateparks across the country.
The total investment in the project was $892,784.
The Pier Park Skatepark project is the result of multiple public input meetings and extensive conversations with community stakeholders.
Parks and Recreation Director Todd McCoy, Grand Island City Council President Jack Sheard, and Mary Berlie, President of the Grand Island Area Chamber of Commerce and Grand Island Area Economic Development Corporation, spoke at the ribbon cutting ceremony.
“It was a fun concept to come up with a design,” McCoy said. He thanked the City Council for its support of the project.
“This skatepark is something that the community can be proud of,” McCoy said.
McCoy described the skatepark as a unique facility that provides something for skateboarders of all ages.
Sheard said that the skatepark will be something that people from across the state will notice.
“This is one of the coolest things we’ve done on City Council,” he said. “We gave a home to kids that don’t always get the cool stuff.”
Sheard said it was fun for him to participate in the ribbon cutting, because it brought back memories of when he was young and aspired to be a skateboarder. He got all of the gear that skateboarders use at that age.
Berlie said that in 2016, the city’s Food and Beverage Occupation Tax was renewed. She referred to it as “Pennies for Progress.”
The tax provides the city with some funding for projects such as the skatepark.
Berlie said that the skatepark was a “tangible reminder of what Pennies for Progress can do.”
“We invest in you. We hope you invest in us,” Berlie said.
While the ribbon cutting ceremony was occurring, skateboarders of all ages, ranging from children that were barely taller than their skateboards to adults, were using the skatepark. The skatepark is located at the southwest corner of Pier Park.
