I stopped by the Skate Plaza today, looks like they're starting!

The Skate Plaza Official Ceremonial Groundbreaking will take place on Thursday, July 29 at 2:00 p.m. at Heritage Park. 

Be there!!! 

 St. Cloud, MN has been trying to get a skate plaza for the youth of their community for nearly 15 years. In 2006, Austin Lee approached the Mayor and asked how he could help build a skate plaza in his city. Now, 4 years later, Austin and his supporters have raised over $100,000 toward the $150,000 they need before the plaza can be built. This fundraiser can help raise that last $50,000 so the skate plaza can be ready to skate this Fall!

  The first 500 people who donate $50 or more will get the opportunity to skate with a pro skater at an exclusive V.I.P. session the day before the grand opening!

According to the St. Cloud Times:

A budget was set Monday for the skate plaza at Heritage Park.

St. Cloud City Council set the budget at $450,000. Donations and contributions will make up $150,000 and park improvement funds will cover $300,000.

The council also approved a $43,000 contract with Bonestroo and Action Sports Design for architectural and engineering services.

From Kim Anderson of The St. Cloud Times and www.sctimes.com

Elation filled the St. Cloud City Council chambers Monday night as a 13-year debate over where to build a skate plaza came to a rest.

The council approved building a plaza at Heritage Park with a 5-2 vote. Council members Sonja Berg and Carolyn Garven dissented, saying the natural setting of the park was ill-suited for such a facility.

The vote was met with cheers and a standing ovation from the more than 50 supporters in the room.

Austin Lee, 17, has been instrumental in planning the plaza and getting the support it needed to get approval. He had a hard time hiding his enthusiasm Monday after the vote.

"I'm pretty excited," he said.

Monday's hearing focused on whether Heritage Park should be the site, rather than questions on money and design. Those will be discussed at future meetings. The hearing lasted an hour with about a dozen speakers.

Many of the detractors were concerned about safety at the site because traffic is heavy nearby.

Concerns also included the fact that Heritage Park is a natural setting, where people fish and walk on trails. Some felt a skate plaza wouldn't fit in with those uses.

Supporters said the park would be an even better place for families to visit. While some skateboard, others could enjoy the nature trails and Stearns History Museum that is at the park. They also said the park's location near businesses is a plus for teens looking to eat after skateboarding.

Council members acknowledge the concerns, but ultimately decided the site was the best option for the city.

Berg said she's heard more from residents on the skate plaza issue than any other and echoed concerns about nearby traffic.

Garven said Heritage Park is meant for "passive" use and a skate plaza doesn't coincide with that.

"This is a disconnect for me," she said.

Council member Dave Masters said he likes the Heritage Park site. It's an opportunity to attract younger residents to the park's natural area, he said.

"I think that's a real plus," he said.

Council president Bob Johnson bristled at suggestions that skateboarders are anti-social and the not-in-my-neighborhood mentality some have about a skate plaza.

"I just think that's wrong," he said.

It's part of the city's goal to provide a variety of recreation that serves a variety of interests, from skateboarding to tennis to swimming, he said.

They are moving forward with the proposed St. Cloud Skate Plaza.  As of now, the City of St. Cloud is proposing to put the Plaza at the Heritage Park/ Nature Preserve right across the street from Cub Foods West.  This would be a great location for one of the biggest Skate Plaza's in the country. 

So far the proposal has passed the City's Parks and Recreation Board, but next we need to get the Planning Commission to give their approval.  There is a public hearing scheduled for JANUARY 12th at 6:00pm at City Hall.  WE NEED ALL SKATERS and FRIENDS and FAMILY MEMBERS of Skaters to show up at that meeting and show how many people have been waiting for years for this PLAZA to get approved!

Good news. Your letters are helping... BUT WE STILL NEED MORE!

So far we've only heard from a small percentage of you. There are important votes coming soon from both the Planning Commission and the City Council and they need to hear why you think Heritage Park is the right location for our new skate plaza.

It's super easy:

1. Go to this link to see a sample letter: http://www.stcloudskatepark.com/letter.htm

(you can use this but we prefer your own)

2. Copy and paste these email addresses and send it off. 

THIS WILL ONLY TAKE A FEW SECONDS!  DO IT AND DO IT NOW!

Here is you chance to get the official "word" on the state of the Skate Plaza.  We need every skate head to show up!  There will be City of St. Cloud representatives (who will be the deciding factor on where and when the Plaza will be located) at this event.  Let's get as many people to show up and let the City know how bad we need this Skate Plaza.  Plus it will be a great chance to check out some local art talent and meet all the hard working people (aka Austin Lee) who are doing their best to get you one of the best Skate Plazas in the country.  SHOW UP AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT!