Y releases skate park costs

RED BANK — The Community YMCA last week released its breakdown of the capital expenditures and the printed proposal of its planned skateboard park.

According to the plan released to the public by Eileen Hayward, teen director, the proposed 15,000-square-foot concrete park would be located on the YMCA’s property behind the current in-line roller hockey rink and basketball courts. It would accommodate 50 to 100 children, which is based on the reported number of skateboarders who frequent the Casino Skate Park, in Asbury Park, and the Eatontown Roller Rink’s Skateboard Night, according to the proposal.

The skate park would be a free flow design, similar to an empty in-ground pool.

The expected cost of the project is $196,000, with $193,000 earmarked for the construction of the facility and lighting. The additional $3,000 is needed to cover the cost of extra equipment, like extra skateboards, helmets and protection sets, consisting of knee, elbow and wrist pads. This equipment, said Hayward, would be available for rent by members, and would generate income that would offset the operating expenses.

The annual operating expense for the park is estimated at $26,000, with $2,000 for park maintenance, $24,000 to be used to pay two, part-time staff members to be on the premises during its operating hours of 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., March through November.

The facility will be available to all members, and membership to those under 18 is $8 a month or $96 a year. But anyone unable to afford the membership, may be eligible for the YCARES program, a financial aid program.

All participants and their parents, in the case of minors, will be required to sign a waiver; wear a helmet, knee and elbow pads and wrist guards; and "respect the property, other participants and staff," the proposal states.

Funding for the project is still deemed to be in the embryonic stage, so Hayward declined to comment, saying that issue will be discussed at forthcoming meetings.

The project and its projected costs have yet to be approved by the YMCA board. For more information about upcoming meetings, contact Eileen Hayward at (732) 741-2504.