Skaters unite at Roundhouse

A crowd of over 50 concerned citizens, skateboarders, and community leaders showed up to the Garapan Central Park Roundhouse on Saturday morning to take part in the Rotary Club of Saipan’s fact-finding forum on the construction of a skatepark.

Skateboarding enthusiasts of all ages and races exchanged information regarding the acquisition of land, project designs, the formation of a non-profit group, and possible legal issues that stand in the way of the proposed facility.

While their style of dress may be wildly different, all who showed up for the forum were excited to be working together and they will need to be if they plan to raise the $130,000 needed for the project.

The Rotary said that it has $20,000 to commit to the project leaving $110,000 for the community to raise. Rep. Francisco Dela Cruz was one of the leaders present at the Roundhouse for the session and he had some inspiring words for all concerned with the skatepark.

“I had no idea where this was heading and now know that this project needs only $130k and that we’ve already got $20k, I’ve already thought about it and I’m going to try for an appropriation because this is a local project. So yes, I will, we will be putting something together to see if we can appropriate funds for this project,” he said.
The $110,000 was reduced even further when a local organization pledged to contribute a substantial amount of money.

New Zealand native and Saipan Resident John Robinson was present at the meeting, and as a former skater he had technical questions regarding the construction of the park and its maintenance.

Robinson is also a board member of the CNMI Youth Foundation, whose mission it is to solicit funds and to give donations to youth organizations whom the foundation deems is in need of them.

The former skater said that he still has a love for the sport and that he loves to hear that it is being organized on Saipan. Robinson had another message for the group—one that nearly brought the Roundhouse down.

“I want to give you guys $10,000, the only question I have about that is who do I give it to?” he asked

The crowd roared as Robinson explained that the process of obtaining the funding will be as simple as possible.

“It’s available on Monday. You don’t have to jump through a lot of hoops. We’re here and we’re happy to help,” he said.

There is plenty more for organizers to do and they will discuss their strategy and progress later this week on Friday, Dec. 8, at 2 pm.