Park commission approves $250,000 transfer to advance skate park project

The West Bend Park and Recreation Commission voted May 28 to transfer $250,000 from the park impact fee account to help fund a proposed multi‑phase skate park at the city’s large park.

Mike, a parks staff member who presented the proposal, told commissioners that construction for phases one and two is roughly $1.7 million and the total project is about $2.4 million. He said the project has a confirmed $500,000 lead gift and that as of March 31 the park impact fee fund held about $57,000. "That's why again we were asking for the $250,000 to complement that $500,000 donation," Mike said.

Staff said the facility would accommodate skateboards, scooters, inline skates and bikes and could host regional competitions. They described the design as large enough to serve beginners through experts and said, if the full three phases are built, the site would be among the largest in the state.

Commissioners discussed tourism benefits and fundraising priorities before moving to approve the transfer. The motion passed on a voice vote; the transcript records the question and the chair saying the motion carried but does not record a roll‑call tally.

According to staff, the plan is to continue fundraising through local donors and partners, go to bid in the fall, and — if fundraising targets are met — break ground in spring 2027. No formal amendments or conditions to the transfer were recorded in the meeting minutes presented to the commission.

Next steps staff described include continuing private fundraising, confirming additional commitments, and moving the project to the bidding stage later this year.