ANNOUNCER
The city of Wenatchee banned skateboarding downtown last year. Now taking a cue from cities like Moses Lake and Yakima, a park board member is determined to build a skate park for the displaced teen skaters. Diane De Rooy has the story.
DIANE
Wenatchee Park Board member Gene Anderson has formed a committee to research skate park funding and locations.
Skaters were banned after downtown merchants complained of extensive property damage and one businessman was run down by a skater.
After considerable debate, the city gave skaters some old tennis courts, saying the kids would have to make repairs and renovations at their own expense.
Skaters held car washes and bake sales, but only managed to raise $5,000 of the $25,000 they needed.
That was a year ago.
Anderson says adults have no credibility with youth if they don’t even attempt to make something happen. Inspired by the fact that the skaters raised $5,000 with no support, he has pledged to meet with his committee twice a week, if necessary, so he can approach the city commission with a complete skate park proposal.
For Northwest Public Radio, I’m Diane De Rooy.
Announcer
The Wenatchee Park Board skate park group will meet for the first time Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.
