After almost two years of building interest and gaining support from local businesses and organizations, the Centre Wellington Skatepark Association is ready to move forward with mass fundraising through crowdfunding.
On Nov. 17 from 6:30 to 8pm, the group will welcome people of all ages to the Elora arena to learn, experience and help kick off the campaign.
The event will showcase the fundraising promotional video that was written, directed and edited by local filmmaker Josh Mac which stars the youth of Centre Wellington. A website and the pitch video was funded by the Elora Lions.
One of the organizers Staci Barron used the word “awesome” to describe another video by teenager Joey Sloan that focuses on the Fergus skatepark and will be played at the kickoff.
The night aims to bring awareness to the project and the Sports.
“There’s a misconception that BMX biking and skateboarding appeals to a small demographic of boys, but that’s really not the case,” said Barron.
“Properly equipped parks can draw in boys and girls and even get used by those more adventurous adults.”
There will also be various presentations from youths, including the premier screening of Sloan’s movie, bike and board repairs, distribution of submission guidelines for a BMX and Skate Park art contest, displays of the Sports, and a chance to meet and talk with teens and adults that have moved the project this far.
“We’d like to get the community involved in the build, where possible,” which could involve the donation of materials or labour, said Barron.
The idea for the zero-fee public Sports area started in late 2012 and has progressed steadily by word of mouth, promotional posters, meetings with public and township staff, and pitching businesses and service organizations for campaign funds.
With donations from Elora Lions, Jennark Homes, and anonymous donors, organizers were able to get serious with the fundraising aids that are aimed at crowdfunding like a website (http://givefun.ca), pitch video, and other promotional merchandise.
Youths have been a major force in moving the idea into reality, by taking the steps to get the first phase through township council and spreading the word throughout the community.
Many children, teens and parents will benefit from the opportunity to have a public place to grow their skills and learn new activities, officials say.
Mac added the intent is to bring the community together to end up with a park that is not only good for the sport, but good for the community.
“The truth of the matter is, they cannot build it on their own,” he said.
Brian Detzler, Centre Wellington’s managing director of community services, noted the crowdfunding campaign was part of the overall plan.
He believes the time between the April meeting and the upcoming launch was simply pulling together the materials to launch the campaign.
Detzler remained excited about the community process.
For those involved it’s not just about the sport, it’s about providing a safe family venue.
Earlier this year estimated costs were pegged at $125,000 – of which $25,000 was to come from Centre Wellington, with the rest coming from within the community and local service clubs.
Barron stated that so far the skatepark group has raised approximately $8,000 in cash and in-kind donations.
“Our hope is to raise enough money the first time out with this campaign to gather $20 from each resident in Centre Wellington. We want to build something that is quality and multi-faceted that will engage a range of community members from beginner to advanced.”
She explained, “We have a wide range of talent in this community, from the young BMX bikers, to the Fergus Roller Derby Team to competitive skateboarders.
“Most of these community members need to leave our township in order to compete. People perhaps don’t see the depth of interest of these Sports because competitors are literally leaving Centre Wellington to go where facilities exist. We see the possibility of sport tourism competitions run here if we install a decent-sized facility.”
For the moment, Barron said Centre Wellington remains a very hockey/team centric community where there is a large gap between the support team Sports receive versus independent sport enthusiasts, especially in Elora.
