IRMO, S.C. — 5th Pocket Skateparks is now set to build an 8500 square foot skate park in the Friarsgate neighborhood of Irmo. That’s according to Friarsgate Skate Park fundraising organizer Marie Ryan.
She tells News 19 the total cost of the park is $356,400, which the town explains they will cover with hospitality tax dollars or PARD Grant funds.
Town council met Tuesday night to determine the fate of the town’s future skate park, ultimately deciding to allocate the money and approve the contract.
Everything starts hard before it’s easy.
That’s the case in learning both how to skateboard, as well as establishing a brand new skate park. Something that’s taken years for the Friarsgate Skate Park committee to do.
Well now, it’s finally coming to fruition.
Ryan tells News 19 they’ve had tons of fundraising events to help with these park designs and donating skate boards, helmets and pads to kids across Irmo.
“These kids that are learning these skills such as determination and resilience and improving themselves personally, that are challenging themselves personally, that are learning that falling isn’t failing, these are going to be life long benefits that they can take with them throughout their education, through the workforce,” Ryan said.
The after-school program Ryan helps with teaches 80 kids a week how to skate with a skateboard instructor. These are kids that will eventually have a new place to hone their skills.
“It’s something that you can learn, to study, until you master it and be a good skateboarder,” Paul Prailleau, third grade student said.
“Skateboarding doesn’t have a rule. You can do it however you want it … It taught me how to be brave,” Ethan Estrada, third grade student said.
All of them tell News 19 they are very excited to learn at a real skate park instead of the church parking lot.
“As far as quality of life goes, having some activity that you can do keeps you healthy, gets you out to meet other neighbors in your community,” Kelly Busch, Irmo town council member said.
Ryan explains that construction will last about nine weeks, with an expected completion date of the end of next year since permitting will take several months.