Select Board awards $155,000 skatepark expansion to Nor'easter Skateparks under charitable grant

The Plymouth Select Board voted to award a $155,000 contract to Nor'easter Skateparks to expand and upgrade the town skateboard park, using funds from a New Hampshire Charitable Trust grant.

A town representative told the board that Nor'easter Skateparks of Auburn, Maine, was effectively the only local vendor willing and able to perform the specialized work and that the company had done prior phases. The board moved to waive competitive bidding because the project is specialized; a board member amended the motion to waive competitive bid and that amendment was seconded and approved before the contract vote.

Project manager Mike (last name not stated) described a design that would better connect the park with a nearby pavilion Mount Prospect Academy is building and said the expanded facility is intended for mixed users — younger children, families and older skateboarders. Mike said weekend park use had exceeded 30 people in recent poor weather and that the skatepark already functions as a community gathering space.

"We may actually get one of the muddogs back to work for this group," a board member observed referring to prior local volunteers who helped earlier phases, and the board discussed the possibility of a grand‑opening skate jam when work is finished.

Nut Graf: The project is funded by a New Hampshire Charitable Trust grant and the town approved sole‑source contracting and a competitive‑bid waiver because of the specialized nature of the work and limited vendors.

Background: The select board packet and presenters noted that soliciting multiple bids was difficult because local contractors often lack the specialized equipment and expertise to construct concrete skatepark elements; the vendor named was the firm involved in prior park phases.

Ending: The motion passed on a vote recorded as "Aye" with no recorded opposition. The board asked staff to proceed with contract signatures and scheduling.