A Skate Park In 2016? With a Little More Help From Our Friends!
By Contributor
Rossland Skatepark Hopes to Break Ground in 2016
(And a big thanks to all who helped the RSA raise over $60,000 in December!)
The Rossland Skatepark Association is on a roll, and hopes to raise the rest of the money needed to get the skate park built next year. After the successful $30,000 in 30 days fundraiser in December they have more reason to hope.
“We’ve been working towards this for a long time”, stated RSA board member Robin Strachan. “With the help of our community and matching funds we were able to raise over $61,000 in December. If this momentum continues, we can get our skate park built next year.” RSA is now nearly two-thirds of the way to its initial fundraising goal. The final amount of money needed to build the skate park will depend on how much in-kind support is donated for materials and construction.
RSA utilized local online fundraising site Yodel.org, to add a twist to their efforts. A dozen locals, including both youth and adults, committed to personal challenges to raise money for the skate park. By asking their networks to pledge them online, they expanded the fundraising pool outside of Rossland to across the world.
“RSA received donations from Australia, Scotland, England, Ontario, Alberta and all over BC, supporting my challenge” said Mark Impey, of Canadian Ski Quest and a RSA board member. “If I had asked these people to donate to help build a skate park in Rossland, they may not have given it much thought. But they wanted to support me in my challenge so they gave.”
The RSA thanks all of the people who put themselves out there and did a challenge, and their supporters who gave generously. “Challenges included Interact camping out on the future park site, winter unicycling, running, hiking, skiing and creating works of art. This is what Yodel is all about, doing something fun and inspiring to raise funds for a great local cause.” commented Mike Kent of Copper Hut Technologies, Inc., the company that created the Yodel site.
Local businesses and clubs also stepped up in a big way. Rossland Rotary gave $10,000 & Nelson & District Credit Union gave a matching $10,000. Revolution Cycles, the Krampl family, Alex Loeb, the Ice Hawks, the Rossland Youth Action Network & the Boxing Day Classic made significant donations to the campaign as well.
Steve Cutt of Nelson & District Credit Union orchestrated $30,000 in matching funds (the $10,000 from NDCU, and $10,000 each from two anonymous donors), which was the impetus for the December $30,000 in 30 days challenge. Cutt states, “One of the anonymous donors was so impressed with the challenges and the community rallying together for this cause, that they are going to give another round of matching funds.”
Expect to see more events and fundraising in support of the Rossland Skatepark Association soon. How soon? Let’s start with the Valentine’s Dance being held by Rossland Rotary at the Miners Hall February 14th. Tickets are $20 and available at Powderhound.
And you can still support them by creating a challenge and/or donating at http://rosslandskatepark.yodel.org
Anyone interested in getting in touch with the Rossland Skatepark Association can reach them by email at info@skaterossland.com or on their Facebook page.
