Editorial: Turning the wheels

When the World Championships of Slalom Skateboarding came to Statesville in September, it did more than draw a crowd dressed in kneepads and helmets.

It put skateboarding in the local limelight and brought to attention that area skating fanatics need a place to enjoy their hobby.

In the months since, the Sk8ers of Statesville and other enthusiasts have worked to convince city officials to provide the necessary funds to build a skate park in Statesville.

The city council denied a funding request with little or no discussion.

The Sk8ers, refusing to be derailed, vowed to continue to press local leaders for their financial help.

Now, officials from the Barium Springs YMCA and the Town of Troutman are joining the discussion. Next week, they and Statesville leaders are slated to meet to discuss funding for a skate park.

Troutman board member Mike Spath told the R&L that “it’s about time” a skate park was built to give the area’s youth another means of recreation.

It’s hard to argue against that logic.However, the skaters are the ones who have to get the ball rolling; the responsibility to build a skate park does not fall solely on our local leaders’ shoulders.

In a county in which local government agendas are bursting at the seams with zoning and property rights issues, it’s best not to wait on your turn in front of the council and board members who might just skate around the issue.

Park advocates should not expect to be taken seriously until they start raising money to qualify for a matching grant. Local officials will have a harder time saying no if the skaters viewed this more as a partnership and less as an entitlement.