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Nelson Lion's Club donates to outdoor skatepark

The Kootenay Lake Outdoor Skate Park Society received another big donation last week from the Nelson Lions Club.
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Trent Nash

The Kootenay Lake Outdoor Skate Park Society received another big donation last week from the Nelson Lions Club.

The Club presented Rob Levesque of the Skate Park Society with a cheque for $10,000.

“We’ve been on side with the skateboard park for almost the full 10 years,” said Rick Crozier with the Lions Club. “We supported it in principle way back when. We’re a youth oriented group. We want to make sure that kids can have places to be.”

The donation from the Lion’s is one of the largest single cash donations the local club has made.

Crozier said that skateboarders often use the spray park at Lions Park even though that is not what it’s designed for.

“We’ve talked with Rob and the rest of the crew and we think it’s a really good idea. Lots of other communities have them and we think we should have one,” he said.

Levesque said that the fundraising for the skatepark has been going well.

“We’ll probably break 500,000 by the end of June,” he said. “Considering where we’ve been for the last nine years, things are great. We’re moving forward. The toughest thing is logistics and what is necessary to break ground and begin the project.”

There are various ways to donate to the outdoor skatepark project from the penny jars around town to purchasing a square foot of the park for $50.

In addition, the Lions Club has also partnered with the Skate Park Society to facilitate the use of the club’s charitable trust to provide tax receipts for donations in support of the project.

The club hopes their donation and the availability of donation tax receipts will help stimulate other groups, businesses and citizens to support this worthwhile project.

The Lions Club of Nelson Charitable Trust will issue income tax receipts for donations of $20 or more. Cheques can be sent to the Lions Club of Nelson Charitable Trust, Box 492, Nelson, BC V1L 5R3. Please note on the cheque that the donation is for the outdoor skate park. In addition, donations can be made through PayPal and an electronic receipt will be issued. Access the PayPal donation button on the KLOSPS website nelsonskatepark.com

Levesque added that individual square feet of the park continue to be sold at $50 each at Tribute Boardshop on Baker Street in addition to online at the society’s website. Individuals purchasing square feet of the park at Tribute Boardshop will receive a sticker recognizing the donor’s support of the project. Their names will also be aired on local Bridge radio and local print media.