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City submits $6.96 million Quality of Life grant application for UFO‑themed skate park; organizers promise events and community upkeep
Summary
City staff and community organizers submitted a Quality of Life grant application seeking up to $6,956,000 to build a skateboard and roller‑derby complex. The application requires no local match and, if awarded, must be spent by June 30; organizers described community cleanups and planned events to sustain the facility.
The city of Roswell submitted a Quality of Life grant application seeking up to $6,956,000 on Wednesday to build an expanded UFO‑themed skate and roller‑derby complex, Geneva Martinez told the City Council.
Martinez, representing community organizers, said the grant application was submitted the same day after city staff and partners spent several days preparing materials and retyping the application into the online portal. “This grant has no matching funds. So we will not be asking for any funding from the city,” Martinez said. She said the fund has a large pool of awards and that the city requested the full amount of $6,956,000; finalists would be required to spend awarded money by June 30 if selected.
Community organizers also described ongoing volunteer work and events tied to the project. Members of the UFO skate collective have conducted park cleanups, held skate competitions and plan a set of events including a September 21 voter‑registration/education event for skaters and a November 2 “UFO Skate Bash.” Martinez said pro skaters and other supporters had provided letters and endorsements, and that organizers plan to attach additional letters of support if available.
Why it matters: proponents argue the site would provide recreation opportunities for youth and a potential revenue stream from events, competitions and tourism. Martinez said the proposed complex could draw regional competitors and provide a low‑cost activity for local youth.
What happened next: the council expressed support and suggested organizers collect additional letters of support and endorsements to strengthen scoring. Staff confirmed the application was submitted and that, if the grant is awarded, the city and partner contractors would need to meet the June 30 spending deadline.
Ending: organizers said they will continue outreach and proposed community events while awaiting the state’s awards decisions.
