PARIS – The Oxford Hills Rotary Club recently heard an update from skateboard enthusiasts about the soon-to-be-built skate park.

Spokeswoman Dee Dee Estes said the park has been approved, and she showed the plans. To date, $100,000 has been raised, including a $50,000 grant. If the park is professionally built, it will cost about $177,000.

However, the company, California Skateparks, will work with volunteers and accept in-kind donations. It would be possible to get the cost down to as low as $77,000 if labor and supplies are donated.

Estes thanked Rotary for the previous donation to help the park become a reality.

In addition to cash donations, needs include excavation, rock, gravel, chain link fence, rolling gate and a place for the workers from California to stay.

At this point, they expect to build the park in early spring. Although 16,000 square feet of space was donated by the town of Paris (behind Hancock Lumber), the park will use about 7,800.

The park will not be lighted and will be free to anyone who wants to use it at their own risk. It will be under the governance of SAD 17. The plans call for a concrete structure instead of wood, which will make the park durable and low maintenance. According to Mark Eastman, it will be one of the best skate parks in New England.

The Oxford Hills Rotary Club meets at 7:30 a.m. every Wednesday at the First Congregational Church, South Paris. If interested in attending a meeting, contact President Patty Rice at 743-7777.

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