Cheyenne Campbell Correspondent NEW CONCORD -- The New Concord Area Arts and Recreation District (NCAARD) and the New Concord Skate Spot Committee are proud to announce a new development in the progress of the skate park in the village. The NCAARD Skate Spot has been awarded a $32,247 NatureWorks grant through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. The grant, which was applied for in March of 2009, was officially awarded to the park in October. "We were absolutely thrilled to be selected to receive the grant," Kathy Normansell, NCAARD president, said. "We have a lot of support from the village, board of trade and school district who recognize the need." The NCAARD skate spot has been a work in progress for the last few years and NCAARD is finally receiving the money it needs to make park improvements a reality. Currently, the skate spot consists of a few items made and donated to the park by local skaters and a commercial launch box which was purchased by a $5,000 grant from the Tony Hawk Foundation. But these are just temporary. The remainder of the Tony Hawk grant is going towards expanding the current concrete area at the skate spot. The NatureWorks grant and additional NCAARD money is going towards developing a more professional skate park. "The committee has narrowed down to two skate spot designs which we are excited about," Normansell said. "The most exciting design is a 'street element plaza' made of concrete which will involved a set of stairs, rails and ramp." This design is the most popular among the committee's youth because it is what they are familiar with, having skated on such obstacles in the village as much as they can legally be allowed. The skate spot will be located on the current New Concord Area Pool property on John Glenn School Road, where the pool and school facilities already attract community youth. The construction at the skate spot should be completed by this summer. "We will be submitting the project for bid in early January through the village of New Concord Administration. The project has a second phase of development if we can secure more grant money," Normansell said. "The current timeline is for the site work to be done early spring with the concrete elements complete in late spring." For information on how you can become a part of the skate spot committee, call the NCAARD office at 826-2293 or e-mail NCAARD at newconcord@newconcord-oh.gov.
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