City looks to partner with skateboarders on grant

The Columbia Falls city council Monday night approved an application for a federal grant that would help finance a skatepark in the city.

Initial site work was completed for the skate park at Fenholt Park earlier this summer, but the total cost is estimated to be about $700,000.

The city in partnership with the Badrock Skatepark Association is anticipating requesting about $415,000 in Land, Water and Conservation Fund monies. The LWCF is a federal grant program that uses royalty monies from off-shore oil and gas leases for parks and open space conservation.

The association has already raised more than $300,000 toward the park, most of which is a private donation through a family foundation.

The LWCF grant, if received, would shore up funding and add a bathroom to the facility.

The city has agreed to fund $15,000 of the bathroom cost.

City council approved the park earlier this year. The initial application is a screening application. If it gets through that round, it would go onto a formal and full length application.

The association hopes to break ground on the park next summer. Once it’s completed, the city will take ownership of the facility.

Association members recently held a community meeting to get ideas on the design of the park.

The association is holding a fundraiser for the park on Oct. 14 with a concert by The Gray Goo at the Coop.

Doors open at 4 p.m. and everyone is welcome.