Siding 45 Skatepark Committee Wheelies Their Way Into Progress

The Siding 45 Skatepark committee has been hard at work in recent months in order to achieve their goal of revitalizing a skatepark in the Glasgow area. From hosting fundraisers, having other local businesses support in helping to raise funds, working with the City of Glasgow to determine the best location and becoming their own non-profit organization, the group is putting more pieces together to make their dream a reality.

"We are happy to announce that as of this week, July 10, we have raised $26,673.25. With our matching grant from Montana Pool Service, our total is $53,356.50. The total cost of the skatepark will be around $300,000," stated President of Siding 45 Skatepark committee Tess Fahlgren. "The fundraising goal is achievable and we are penciled in for construction in 2024." The matching grant was pledged over a year ago from Montana Pool Service, which is the personal foundation of bassist of Pearl Jam Jeff Ament who has helped fund skateparks all over, most recently at Standing Rock Reservation in North Dakota.

The group has been busy with fundraising efforts, recently holding a roaming silent art auction in May. "Twenty seven pieces of art were donated, including four high school students, Austin Lopez, Adrienne Red Dog, Gracie Baker, Damien Zeak and their art club coordinator Sheena Wilcox. Our highest selling pieces were Katie Busch's painting, 'Skater Chicks,' which featured baby chickens on a skateboard on a rainbow field, went for $500 to Karen Breigenzer. Mark Berger's skateboard, 'Lonesome Cowboy Bill,' a bucking bronc on yellow with painted flowers, sold for $310 to Shelbie Irvin and can be viewed at her barber shop," explained Fahlgren.

During Art in the Park on July 8, a raffle was held where the group was able to raise $130 and provide the Pang family a Braille Skateboarding complete skateboard, donated by Prairie House Gardens. More skateboards are available for purchase at Cherry Creek Geer Shop, with proceeds benefiting the skatepark," said Fahlgren.

With fundraising efforts underway, Fahlgren and the group has been in contact with Evergreen Construction, who has helped design and build the skatepark in Malta and Lewistown, Mont., and will also be assisting the group with putting the committee's dream into a realty. During the regular city council meeting on July 3, Fahlgren provided the Council with information on deciding factors for the success of a skatepark as well as the reviewed pros and cons for two different possible locations within city limits.

She explained that there are 10 top items to consider which includes shade, access to water, bathrooms, a buffer of 10 or more feet around the final skatepark, drainage, minimal usage conflict, existing grading, access, visibility and other park users. Fahlgren recommended to the City Council that Candy Cane Park and Bundy Park would be two possible good locations for the future park however Evergreen Construction did have some concerns about Candy Cane Park.

"It might be a bit squeezed. There's also going to be a lot of teenagers at the skateparks, which could possibly cause some friction with the existing park which seems to be more geared towards young children. The hillside could be a hindrance to design options, but from the photos I've looked at of the park, I'm pretty confident that we can work with it if we had to," relayed Fahlgren. She also explained how Evergreen Construction thought Bundy Park was the ideal option as there are already water and bathroom accessibility, it's a lot more visible and they believes it's similar to Lewistown's skatepark, in terms of size, already being developed, next to attractions and amenities while also being visible when entering town. "Though we want to put the park at Bundy, we are looking for the best option for everyone," stated Fahlgren to the Courier after the meeting.

After presenting the information and rendered photos of how the skatepark would look at both locations, the Council admitted they found it hard to visualize what the park would look like in terms of space for the skatepark itself while also visualizing remaining space available for other activities within the area, especially at Bundy where a number of different organized sports play and practice. Council member Brian Austin stated he would like to meet with the committee at the proposed locations with the skatepark marked out so he can get an idea of how much room it would actually take. Council member Lisa Koski also asked if Smith Bike Park was considered an option, and though Fahlgren stated it had not, the location very well could be an option as well. It was also discussed to look at Alumni Park as another possible location.

After final discussions were had, Fahlgren made it clear that she wanted to present the options that have been discussed thus far, with no expectation that a final decision be made by the end of the meeting. "The council would like to see other locations explored, I think that would be an important piece of feedback and then we can kind of put some tests and put some more information together and then we can go have that field meeting in a couple of different locations," suggested City Works Director Paul Skubinna, which the Council agreed with as the next steps.

Though this process has been a year in the making, Fahlgren and the committee are not giving up hope. She expressed sincere appreciation of all of the community support from local businesses, to volunteers to community members who continuously show their love and support. "We are so proud of this community!," she exclaimed.