What started as an update to Erin’s skateboard park board turned into an offer for Mayor Lou Maieron to shave his head to support the project – for the right price.
On June 7, Bill Dinwoody brought council up to date on a proposed skateboard park. He said the recreation committee remains committed to ensure the project gets done.
“I believe it is a vital requirement for the youth of this community. Currently we have a very active group of parents and young people working hard to raised these funds.”
The estimated cost will be over $100,000.
He said young people helping to raise the funds will create a sense of ownership.
“They’ve been canvassing door to door of their own volition.”
Dinwoody also described other efforts to fund raise. He cited various funds currently on the books with the Town of Erin from Ontario Hydro.
He said several corporations have been approached regarding donations, and the Optimists have provided a promissory note for $3,000 provided the skateboard park is complete by November 2012.
He estimated donations to date of $17,220, which would be matched by the town – based on its previous commitment.
Add to that a $10,000 commitment from Hydro, and Dinwoody said that would provide over $44,000 at this stage.
He added there are plans to augment that amount with a June 25 Skate BMX Band Jam.
Skateboard equipment will be rented from Caledon for the event, including a safety officer.
The event is being held inside at Centre 2000.
“It should be a fun day.”
It runs from 11am to 6pm.
“It’s a real opportunity for the public to learn what this is all about.”
Dinwoody said promotional posters have been plastered from Rockwood to Orangeville.
“We will be applying for a Trillium grant, registered under the Town of Erin.”
With a July 1 due date, Dinwoody admitted quite a bit of work is ahead of the group.
“If we get our ducks in a row, along with in-kind donations, it might be able to get things in place this fall.
In later discussion, Mayor Lou Maieron said, “I’m scratching my head whether I should say this out loud, but I’ll take a chance.”
He noted the former mayor, Rod Finnie, was in the audience and he had always donated his hair to the Terry Fox Run.
“I don’t have as much hair,” said Maieron.
“So you won’t miss it as much,” quipped councillor Barb Tocher.
“No … I will,” Maieron instantly responded.
He said for the mayor to do something like that, it would need to be for a substantial amount of money.
“Maybe there would be enough people out there, because I’m not a handsome man to start with, and [possibly] even meaner looking without hair. I lost it once in a bet.”
Tocher said, “The mustache should go too.”
“The mustache would be extra,” countered Maieron
He continued saying that if the group is running short $5,000, “That’s where I think we should start the bidding at. There may be enough people out there ready to cough up enough money to make this happen.”
He quipped, “Councillor Tocher wanted me in a dunk tank and the only reason I got out of that was a bad back.”
Tocher responded that she would start fundraising right after the meeting.
For more information visit www.erinskatepark.com.
