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Wow, gnarly: Skatepark opens
The rain stopped Saturday afternoon just in time for the grand opening of Fort Scott's newest asset.
City officials, members of the Fort Scott Skatepark Committee, community members, skatepark supporters, and of course, several skaters turned out for the grand opening of the James B. Tedesco Memorial Skatepark located parallel to U.S. Highway 69 between the Third and Sixth Street catwalks. The project had been in the works for nearly four years.
Skatepark Committee Co-Convenor Nate Lyons said he estimates that a little more than 100 people attended the event, which included a dedication ceremony and ribbon cutting, music, prize giveaways, skate contests and other activities.
Lyons said he was "a little worried with the rain" and thought it might discourage people from attending, but was pleased with the turnout despite the wet conditions. The rain stopped about 20 minutes before the ribbon cutting.
"I thought it went really well," he said. "Seeing it done and being used is a huge weight lifted off my shoulders."
The park is seeing frequent use since it officially opened Saturday, Lyons said.
"The kids can use it every day," he said. "It's getting used frequently; they're coming out in great numbers. I drove by yesterday and it seemed like there were just as many kids on Sunday as Saturday."
Fort Scott Mayor Jim Adams said he was impressed with the usage of the park since it opened. He said the park could create a positive economic impact, drawing people from out of town to shop at local stores while their kids enjoy the skatepark.
"It's been loaded with kids," Adams said. "I'm happy it's receiving a lot of use. It's really exceeded my expectations. I'm impressed with the committee and how everything came together."
Colorado businessman Steve Tedesco, who has made considerable donations toward the venue, attended the event with members of his family. The 3,000-square-foot, $90,000 skatepark is named after Tedesco's late brother, James B. Tedesco.
"We really had a great time," Tedesco said. "It seemed to be really well received. The skatepark gives a lot of kids a place to go so they're not causing problems in the community."
At the event, the committee sold about $300 worth of special T-shirts as a fundraiser for the skatepark. Proceeds will go to the city and be kept in a fund for upkeep and possible future expansion, Lyons said.
The event also included plenty of free time for skaters to practice their sport. Evan Doherty, a 10-year-old skater from the Kansas City area, impressed spectators with his talent during a skateboarding demonstration.
Lyons said Doherty attended the event after learning about it online.
"Having him there was really special," Lyons said. "He grew up in skateparks, so he gets to practice 20 hours per week. It shows what a kid can do having the right environment to learn how to skate. I think over time, some kids in the area could progress to that level of skill."
Adams, Lyons and City Manager Dave Martin spoke at the dedication. Martin talked about the donation the city made toward the skatepark and a $25,000 contribution from Tedesco to help the project get built.
Martin thanked supporters for their involvement in the project and encouraged youth to help the city clean and care for the facility.
Several volunteers swept mud and other debris from the skating surface and used leaf blowers to dry wet spots.
"I think the kids understand," Adams said. "They want to make sure somebody doesn't screw up the whole thing for the rest of them."
Tedesco complimented Lyons and Skatepark Committee Co-Convenor Bailey Gray for their work getting the project completed, and said they are the "real heroes behind the skatepark."
"They did an awesome job," he said. "Without their hard work, it never would have happened."
The park will eventually include a recognition wall for donors who have made financial contributions to the park. The wall will be made of bricks and stones engraved with the names of contributors. Lyons said he hopes to have lights installed at the park and operational within a month.
The event was also attended by several of Lyons' friends who he grew up skateboarding with, many of whom don't actively skate anymore but are "happy for the kids" because it is something they wanted in their youth.
"We had been keeping in touch through the construction process," he said. "They were just as excited to see it happen."