Wheeling Skate Park - Wheeling, West Virginia, U.S.A.

10/8/2007

The City is in the process of adding amenities which will include permanent restrooms. Currently there are porta-a-jons and a water fountain on site.

A beverage machine is coming shortly, as is a paved parking lot, landscaping, spectator seating and lighting. The park currently closes at dusk.

2/5/07

SKATEPARK BUILDER SELECTED

WHEELING - Grindline Skateparks, based in Seattle, Wash., has been selected by the city of Wheeling Skatepark Technical Review Committee to build Wheeling?s concrete skatepark.

Wheeling City Council will hear first reading Tuesday night in an ordinance choosing Grindline Skateparks to design and build the Wheeling Skatepark.

Grindline is known for its design and construction of concrete skateparks all over the United States and in other parts of the world. Grindline has built more than 75 skateparks to date, from Orcas Island in Washington State to the island of Okinawa, Japan. The Review Committee reviewed qualifications from five reputable skatepark builders. After narrowing their search to three companies, they finally reviewed proposals from Grindline and Team Pain, of Winter Park, Fla. Grindlines proposal is for a 8,500 square foot to 10,000-square-foot concrete skatepark with a cost of up to $330,300. Construction is expected to begin in April, with a grand opening tentatively scheduled for August.

The skatepark will be built in Elm Grove, adjacent to the Wheeling Heritage Trail and at the bottom of the hill leading to the Chambers Baseball/Softball Complex. The grassroots efforts was led by Wheeling resident, Diana Mey, whose son Nathan approached Wheeling City Council at age 12 to ask for their help. The Wheeling Skatepark Committee has raised more than $175,000 in donations and grants. Donations came in from local foundations, individuals, and businesses. The Tony Hawk Foundation funded the Wheeling Skatepark Committee twice, with a total donation amounting to $26,000. The City of Wheeling dedicated $67,000 last year to the committee, and has since applied for a Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant in the amount of $100,000, bringing the total funds available to approximately $275,000. The Wheeling Skatepark Committee partnered with the Community Foundation of the Ohio Valley to administer the funds.

Diana Mey, Chair

Wheeling Skatepark Committee