Skate Park Association Holding Fundraiser

The North Idaho Skate Park Association (NISPA), concluded Coeur d’Alene’s only skate park needed a face-lift. On Saturday February 17th, NISPA will host a banquet at the Coeur d’Alene Resort to raise funds for a new park.

The fundraiser features guest speaker and professional skateboarder Mike Vallely, as well as dinner, music, a junior skate demo and auctions.

Built over 20 years ago, Coeur d’Alene’s skate park was out of date, out of touch and pieced together with unmatched pieces. Torn out early last summer as the Memorial Park Project moved forward, local skaters have been forced back into the streets. That’s all about to change. This coming spring, the city of Coeur d’Alene will break ground on the new park.

This new park aims to be “a place as diverse and exciting as the community of people it serves,” said NISPA president, Jay Olsen.

Variety is essential for a quality skate park. NISPA hopes to include a bowl feature in the new park – a bowl carries a $150,000 price tag. Enter the fundraiser.

Since 2011 Olsen, friends, fellow skaters and community members have come together to organize the skateboarding community. They’ve held skate clinics, contests and gatherings to drum up enthusiasm and support from fellow skaters.

With major assistance from City of Coeur d’Alene parks and recreation director Bill Greenwood and funding by ignite cda, the new skate park for our city is much closer to a reality.

Skate parks aren’t just for kids. From five to 95, the park is meant to be a haven for anyone. The positive effects of a park aren’t just limited to its patrons either. Business owners, pedestrians, drivers and parents could also see benefits. Skate parks can even act as an impromptu class rooms – Olsen says he learned to be resilient and creative at the skate park.

NISPA requests your attendance at a fundraiser banquet on Saturday, February 17th at 6 p.m. at The Coeur d’Alene Resort. Presale tickets are available until February 10th.