Call it a halfpipe dream. It's just a vision now, but a Grand Coulee Dam area man hopes to build a skate park with wooden ramps and trick bars targeted toward youths. Bruce Butler said he picked the park because everyone who drives into the area can see it. The unemployed construction worker said the park would give local and tourist children something to do in the area. He said he wants to include kids in the process.
Bruce Butler said he decided to pursue the idea after hearing about a need for the park and reading letters in The Star. That interest gave him the incentive to start working toward the goal on August 27. "I think it's time for someone to try at least something," he said. He's now working on what needs to be done to build the ramps and metal bars at the winter skating rink facility at Grand Coulee's North Dam Park. Butler said building the equipment would be a learning process for him.
Butler said the facility would be for skateboarders, bicyclists and in-line skaters. "The ramps would be temporary and could be removed during the winter for the ice-skating park", Butler said. He's also talked to area business owners to find people who are willing to donate time, money and material. As of last Thursday, he said about 20 promises of money, time and materials had been promised.
He said the Colville Tribal Enterprise Corporation has also promised to match up to $1,000 in donations. Butler said he's also tried to get in touch with the Tony Hawk foundation to receive grant money. Tony Hawk is the superstar of the skateboard world. Butler said the program provides money to low income, small communities, but many people apply to it and the foundation likes to see progress before stepping in.
He said he's received some information on the Internet about the process to build a park. That includes insurance considerations and how to talk to city councils. "There's a lot you have to go through," Butler said, He said he wants to build it as soon as possible before people lose interest "People like progress," he said.
Butler, who grew up in the area, said he wants to partly dedicate the park to George Shear. Shear helped build the ice skate park shortly before dying in a car accident several years ago. Butler said he hopes the park might draw interest and bring celebrities, such as Hawk, to the area. He would also like to find ways to sponsor competitions for area kids and those from surrounding communities. Finished in May 2000, the ice rink has never held ice.
From the Grand Coulee Star