Skate Park Association plans rolling steadily along
The Antigonish Skate Park Association has really started to get things rolling. The association is now officially registered as a non-profit incorporated society, and has recently awarded tender for the construction of the park.
That official designation, according to president and cofounder of the Antigonish Skate Park Association, Jason Mason, is a step in the right direction. He said the designation will help the association meet its many ambitious goals.
Specifically, those related to fundraising.
"Not having a number slowed us down. Now we’re able to apply, and have applied, for corporate donations and a number of other donations," Mason said.
That is not the only step forward the association has taken. At a recent meeting, members chose a contractor, after reviewing responses to their request for proposal (RFP).
Although the Antigonish Skate Park Association was unable to reveal who the tender was awarded to before the press deadline of this week’s edition of the Casket, Mason said, "We’re really happy about who qualified. We had three proposals from people who wanted to work on the park."
"The people we chose have a history with Antigonish," he added.
Fundraising
The Antigonish Skate Park Association has its work cut out for it, but with the amount of support it has received so far, its leadership is undaunted.
"We are responsible for $167,000 of which we have $42,000 – which is 25 per cent of the fundraising efforts," Mason said.
Now that the association is a registered incorporated society, Mason said the fundraising will come along faster, and with fewer impediments.
The association has some fundraising plans, but "since there are a lot of moving parts, we’re not going to talk about that yet," Mason said.
"When it does come out, the fundraising effort will be a real treat for everyone in Antigonish," Mason said.
"It’s coming from just one event, and it goes alongside of what the Antigonish Skate Park Association has planned to bring and introduce to the town."
Mason noted there has been a change of the guard within the organization.
Recently, secretary Cara Jones has stepped down. The association is looking for another person to take over in the role.
A new treasurer, who the members of the association plan to mentor, has also been appointed.
Noah Teasdale, a Grade 12 at Dr. John Hugh Gillis Regional High School is taking over where former treasurer Olivier Boudreau left off.
"We didn’t specifically look for a high school student, but we figured this is a way to teach and mentor him, so as he grows and develops with the skate park, we have someone who’ll be here in the long term," Mason said.
Mason emphasized that the association is looking to create a structure that grows with the project as time goes on, and plans move forward.
He also emphasized that it’s never a big deal to the association when they need to change staff.
"There are so many people who want to be involved in this project," Mason said. "It’s not a big deal when they can’t, or don’t have the time. The people who want to work on the skate park are the ones who are there."