New indoor skate park a possible for Sisters

SPRD is asking for help finding a home for a new skate park structure. The indoor skate park ramps and rails were donated to SPRD by Camp Caldera. The high-quality wooden ramps were designed for an indoor facility. They are now stored outside under tarps at SPRD, in danger of being ruined.

"We need to find an indoor space where the structures can either be stored or set up as an indoor skate park for use by Sisters kids," said Anne Heath, SPRD business manager. "We are hoping that community members will come forward with ideas or suggestions. There are lots of possibilities, such as someone could donate a space or SPRD could lease a space or maybe a private business wants it."

To determine the level of interest, a meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 6, 2011 at 6 p.m. at SPRD's Coffield Community Center. Interested persons are invited to share thoughts and ideas.

The indoor skate facility would require a space of approximately 2,000 to 2,500 square feet. "The structure is larger than the one we currently have in Sisters and could be used year-round," said Heath.

The equipment was recovered Saturday, December 11, by a group of volunteers and SPRD board members. Using a fork lift and backhoe donated and delivered to the site by Sisters Rental, board members Peggy Tehan, Jeff Campbell, Andrew Gorayeb and some Sisters teenagers braved the snowy conditions at Camp Caldera to retrieve the skate park. Also helping were Tim Ogelvie and Erik Hakkinen, who brought their own trucks and trailers for the job.

It took four large trailer loads to transport the 15 large pieces of the skate park to temporary storage behind the SPRD building.

"This is a great example of the can-do attitude of the Sisters community," said Heath. "The weather was terrible, but these people were determined to pick up the park. Their heart was with Sisters kids and making the skate park available for them."

For more information contact Anne Heath at SPRD, 541-549-2091, [email protected]