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Skate Park project stalled, maybe

With all federally-funded grant notifications mandated to stop due to the federal election, the skate park is once again in limbo.

It’s another delay for a skate park in Trail.

This time it’s not shaky civic support that’s halted the potential project – rather it’s the federal election grinding hopes to a standstill for now.

After Prime Minister Stephen Harper dropped the writ Aug. 2, all federally-funded grant notifications are mandated to stop.

The City of Trail applied for a $350,000 grant under the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program in June, earmarking the money to develop a skate park on a lot near Gyro Park. With all the recent announcements of Canada 150 grants for Kootenay communities like Nakusp, Rossland, Warfield and Creston, Trisha Davison began to question where Trail was in the shuffle.

“I called Western Economic Diversification (the grant body) to try and determine the status of our application about a week ago,” explained Davison, Trail’s recreation director. “What I learned is that now that the federal election has been called, as per their legislation, no further grant announcements can be made until the election is over.”

There’s been no communication with the city regarding the status of the application, she added, “which appears to mean they are still under consideration.”

Davis doesn’t expect to hear any news on this item until after Oct.19.

No news is good news for Scott Daniels, a long-time Rotarian and supporter of the skate park initiative.

“We have every reason to remain optimistic,” he said. “I had an opportunity to contribute to and review the grant application submitted by the City of Trail.”

He said, in his opinion, Trail has a strong submission that he expects to be successful.

He does, however, have a few words for the federal leader.

“It’s too bad the announcement of our federal election date will delay further announcement regarding Canada 150 grant applications,” Daniels continued. “If I hear of Steven Harper coming through town, I’ll be keen to buy him a skateboard with our Trail Sk8 Park logo.

“As a reminder of his visit to Trail and our need for this park for our children and youth.”



Sheri Regnier

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