By Jeff Patrus
Staff Writer
Brandon Twp.-The last part of the townships skate park project is about to take shape
The township board, at its April 18 meeting, approved a bid from Skate Wave for $36,541, including installation and freight, for a skate ramp, which is called a ‘half-pipe,? to complete Phase III of the Skate Park project.
Skate Wave’s bid was one of two the department received for the project. The other one, from Huna Designs of Holland, MI, was for $45,954.
Brandon Recreation Director Fred Waybrant said the construction of the ramp will be delayed for a couple weeks, since Drew Dungey, the representative for Skate Wave, is currently in the hospital.
However, Waybrant said the ramp could be ordered ‘fairly quickly,? and once the department has the equipment, it would take about 40 days to construct.
Waybrant said the ramp could be completed around the end of June or the beginning of July. In that case, he said he would consider rescheduling the department’s Skate Fest, currently scheduled for Aug. 6, so more people could use the park for a greater length of time.
Phase 1 of the project began in 2002, while Phase 2 got underway in 2003. Waybrant said last year, several local residents and organizations held fundraisers, with the support of the recreation department, to raise money for the final phase.
Even though the project is just about done, Waybrant said the department will still be holding a pop bottle drive to raise maintenance money for the park. He said the surface material at the park needs to be replaced every 7-10 years.