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Mr. Silvemess, Director / YMCA, stressed that the YMCA will support any proposal the <br /> Parks and Recreation Committee offers, weather directly involved or not. Jason <br /> Swavely, Sr. Program Director / St. Croix Valley Wheel Park, explained that the St. <br /> Croix Valley Wheel Park has been open for three years. Mr. Swavely showed a video of <br /> a !CARE 11 broadcast of one their programs called "Whatever" (airing on Saturday <br /> mornings), of the St. Croix Valley Wheels Park that was taped two years ago. Mr. <br /> Swavely explained that the City of Hudson had problems with the youth riding their <br /> skateboards "downtown" where they are not allowed. Additionally, he stated that kids <br /> that have activities generally have fewer problems. The Wheel Park provides a place for <br /> the youth to go, keeps them out of trouble and works great. There is no longer a problem <br /> with "downtown" skating in the City of Hudson. Mr. Swavely shared some of the <br /> concerns and safety issues with the committee as follows: <br /> ✓ Will it work in the community <br /> ✓ Kids must wear protective gear to attain access to the park <br /> ✓ Kids played a small part in building / creating the park <br /> ✓ Build as you go <br /> ✓ Park is greatly used <br /> ✓ Reinforces good kids <br /> ✓ Kids like the pyramids the best <br /> ✓ May require segmented use (bikes, blades, skates) if desired <br /> ✓ St. Croix Valley Park is used by bikes, blades and skates at all times <br /> ✓ Kids use good protocol when used by all thee wheel types <br /> ✓ Positive addition to the community <br /> ✓ Kids feel ownership <br /> ✓ Develops leaders of the community (kids) <br /> ✓ More successful if staffed <br /> ✓ Will need a boarder surrounding park <br /> ✓ College kids appear to work out better for staffing, as they can enforce <br /> the rules better (generally they don't know the kids attending the park) <br /> ✓ Roller - blading is the fastest growing sport in America <br /> ✓ Consider proximity to residents houses — very loud <br /> ✓ Suggests a six foot half pipe (not too big for kids to use) <br /> Mr. Swavely shared the cost to build the St. Croix Valley Wheel Park was approximately <br /> $100k for the entire park, which includes $35k for a concession building. They are <br /> currently at approximately $115k - $117k with additions over the three years. The St. <br /> Croix Valley Wheel Park ran at a deficit the first two years, but balanced out in the third <br /> year. He stressed that concessions helped considerably. St. Croix Valley Wheels Park <br /> averaged 12 kids per day the first year, 15 —16 kids per day in the second year, and 30 <br /> kids per day last year. Additionally, Mr. Swavely suggested having the wheel park built <br /> professionally, adding that they did not have much parent or youth involvement with the <br /> construction of the park. <br /> Mr. LeBlanc questioned the YMCA's plans to build a wheels park in Lino Lakes. Mr. <br /> Silverness explained it is just too expensive to build a wheels park in Lino Lakes where <br /> 2 <br />