A skate park is being proposed for the city of Manawa.
Andrew Bristow presented the idea to the Manawa Common Council during its April meeting.
Six youth helped hold a diagram for a possible skate park.
“I am looking for a place for these kids to grow with skating,” Bristow told the council. “A lot of them are actually getting very good and they need a place to go.”
The proposed skate park would need about an area of 110 feet by 70 feet and cost about $165,000, without site preparation.
City Clerk Cheryl Hass noted that grants may be available because this is a new project for Manawa.
The council members asked who would own the skate park. Bristow said it should be a public park, with extended daylight hours.
“We are not looking for funding – we are only looking for a site,” he said.
The request was referred to the Parks and Recreation Committee.
In other business, the council approved a $63,300 bid to replace the 20-year-old roof on the municipal building.
“I don’t think we have a choice,” said Frank Jaeger, director of Public Works. “We have to do it.”
Jaeger said the new roof should last at least 30 years.
The council discussed the pending dam agreement with Eagle Creek Renewable Energy Holdings.
“If we do nothing, it automatically renews,” said Mayor John Smith.
He reported that lawyers are working on a 15-year agreement that would give the city about 6 percent of the dam profits.
In other action, the council approved allowing the Manawa Police Department to hire part-time officers prior to committee or council approval.
“It gets them on the schedule earlier,” said Police Chief David Walker.