Tuesday night the Wayzata City Council denied a request from Wayzata resident Scott Tripps to apply for a Hennepin County Youth Sports Program grant for a skate park here in Wayzata. Applications need to be approved by the City Council via a resolution. Awards ranging from $10,000 up to $400,000 will be awarded to cities interested in developing facilities for amateur sports and recreation. Skate parks were specifically listed as an example of the type of project they are looking for, and I believe that Wayzata has a good chance of qualifying for a grant.
The workings for a skate plaza in Wayzata has been ongoing for years. Previously the City has approved the idea, allocated, and spent funds for the design phase of the project. The project was removed from the City’s plans due to a lack of funding. The desire of the kids to have a skate park has not gone away! The Hennepin County Youth Sports Program looks like a great opportunity to maybe move the project forward.
Mr. Tripps request includes and stipulates that the project would be completed with no ($0) cost to the City of Wayzata.
I believe the main reason for not allowing the skate plaza to move forward is the fact that the City is putting forth another proposal that includes replacing the hockey rink boards at Klapprich Park with plastic boards, maintenance of the lighting system, and a sidewalk. While I agree these projects need to be done, the goals of the grant specifically states that the grant awards “cannot be used for ongoing expenses … such as maintaining facilities.” While one may construe that replacing the hockey boards and lights might not be considered maintenance, it’s clear that it’s not in keeping with the spirit of the program’s goals. The sidewalk is not in the realm of what the grant is asking for… “enhance opportunities for athletics and recreation”.
I believe the request was denied because the Skate Plaza proposal is on target with the program’s goals, and would hurt the chances of the City’s Klapprich Park “maintenance” proposal. Not allowing the Hennepin County grant committee the opportunity to review our best proposal is disingenuous, at best.
I believe the City’s proposal has little chance of qualifying for a grant award. Why not allow both to move forward and allow them to stand on their own merits? In the end, neither proposal may be awarded. All I’m asking for is a chance.
The deadline to submit an application with Hennepin Co. is November 2nd. The City of Wayzata is holding a meeting next Tuesday, October 27, 2009 at 7:00p.m. The meeting is to discuss the budget, but we would like to squeeze this in. (The City has wasted a great deal of time working on an ill-fated proposal.)
Please let your elected officials know;
1. They should allow us to add this item to the Oct 27th meeting (the next regular Council meeting will be too late).
2. They should allow the application for the skate plaza to be sent in.
Thanks! Bob.
Bob Mueffelmann
172 Birch Lane West
Wayzata, MN 55391
952-473-6145
bob@lmgo.com
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Mayor
Ken Willcox
Home: 952-475-0092
Office: 952-922-5569
E-Mail: kenwinminn@aol.com
Term: 12/31/12
Council Members
Jack Amdal
Home: 952-475-3904
Office: 612-336-9623
E-Mail: jamdal@kke.com
Term: 12/31/10
Mary Bader
Home: 952-473-2908
Office:
E-Mail: mcbader09@q.com
Suzanne Bangert
Home: 952-473-4077
Office: 612-596-0089
E-mail: suzanne.bangert@co.hennepin.mn.us
Term: 12/31/10
Andrew Mullin
Home: 952-476-2445
Office: 952-567-7421
E-Mail: mullin.andrew@gmail.com
Term: 12/31/12
The above letter to the editor is right on!
It is “disingenuous” to submit a grant application for Klapprich Park Rehabilitation and expect everyone to believe if funded, will provide a new sports opportunity for Wayzata youth!
Following are two items from the application that are at least curious if not downright frivolous:
1. Project Description states: “The permanent hockey boards do not allow for full use of the field during the summer months.” Found at the following link page 70: http://wayzata.govoffice.com/vertical/Sites/%7B95A8F424-4B5B-4F0B-BF37-7DA6B8C22A80%7D/uploads/%7B3B421853-BDF2-4AE6-8AF7-B05D3A048C70%7D.PDF
a. Budget line item “Installation” cost $6000.00 (page 77 at the link above) is to fill the Prowall Dasher Boards (hollow plastic hockey rink boards) with SAND – water is an option but is not recommended in states where extremely cold temperatures can cause expansion damage.
b. In order that the park can be “fully utilized during the summer” – what moving and storage solutions will be adopted?
i. Risk damage and use water so they can be moved more readily during the summer?
ii. Empty the sand and store that too?
iii. Will there be $6,000.00 annual re-installation charges?
iv. What will it cost to move, and store them, and where?
v. Is it realistic to believe portability is a selling feature?
vi. After all this rigmarole, is there truly savings enough to opt out of using the standard board walls?
2. Budget line item “Goals, Etc.” cost $10,000.00 – page 77 at the following link: http://wayzata.govoffice.com/vertical/Sites/%7B95A8F424-4B5B-4F0B-BF37-7DA6B8C22A80%7D/uploads/%7B3B421853-BDF2-4AE6-8AF7-B05D3A048C70%7D.PDF
a. Vendors link below shows price for a pair of goals to be $1195.00 for the most expensive pair – “Etc.” is apparently very expensive and we need to avoid needing anymore of it! http://www.beckerarena.com/6mmframenetpad.aspx
Final comment, I have two teenage boys who have been skateboarding and rollerblading almost as long as they have been walking. Fortunately, we have a tennis court and built a small skate park on it for them.
Over the 13 years we have had this set-up, we have had MANY children at our home using the “park” – we have even had complete strangers show up and use our facility thinking that it’s a park.
We have been very blessed to have lots of smart, fun, properly engaged, healthy kids at our home every summer – kids enjoying the out of doors, challenging their minds, bodies and each other in a joyous childhood activity without potato chips, video games, or other mindless, unhealthy activities!
Clearly this grant opportunity should be submitted in hopes Wayzata could win funding for a skate park that has been trying to happen for years!
It occurred to me that I left out the most important and positive part of my comment – a suggestion – so sorry!
Here it is:
My dad was the greatest salesman ever!! He knew how to get what he wanted or needed because he paid attention to what others wanted and needed and he ALWAYS found a way for them to get all, or at least most of, whatever that was!
Put the skate park in Klapprich Park – there is room for everyone!
1. Turns two projects into one.
2. Meets all expectations of this grant opportunity.
3. Gets both project moving faster and more economically.
4. Utilize existing bathrooms and drinking fountains.
5. Eliminates the need to maintain another separate location.
6. Skate park area can be used in the winter for snow skating – my kids use our ramps for this activity.
7. Skate park in more out in the open where locals can take note of behavior.
8. Will not encroach on school or church areas where there seems to be some concern noted.