A screen shot from the meeting footage shows Juli Amodei, project manager of Skate Cambria, speaking to the Cambria Community Services District board concerning the Cambria Skatepark on July 9
By Keith Pendleton
The building of a skatepark is once again back on track in Cambria.
Dick Clark of the Cambria Community Council (CCC) delivered the astounding news to a standing-room-only Cambria Community Services District (CCSD) board meeting on July 9 that another shortfall in the Cambria Skatepark construction project would be covered by the CCC. An anonymous donor and bequeath income formed the funding stream for a $175,000 gap between the lowest construction bid and funds held in escrow and promised grants.
Two contractors had placed bids to build the park at 1000 Main Street, next to the Cambria Branch San Luis Obispo County Library. The low bid was received from Newton Construction.
While some might have predicted a cantankerous meeting, following the announcement everyone was all smiles, offering effervescent compliments and thank-yous for all those efforts that brought the skate park this far.
Juli Amodei, project manager of Skate Cambria, was the first to speak when the meeting was opened to public comment on the topic. “Before I even begin, I want to thank the Cambria Community Council, and I just want to give them a tremendous round of applause for their generosity.” She brought a handbell with her and rang it before continuing, “Every time the bell rang it brought us closer to this moment. Each donation brought us closer to this moment. Today we ring the bell to celebrate the generosity of our community and to thank everyone who helped. Every ring mattered. It is an epic day in so many ways. The word epic means something extraordinary, an accomplishment achieved through dedication, teamwork and determination. As we approach the finish line of the skatepark project, there is no better way to describe the journey.”
The skateboard park project went out to bid after more than six years of fundraising efforts by Skate Cambria, intertwining negotiations with CCSD and coordination with CCC. All this fueled by the youth who would use the park and their parents.
The project budget is $1,020,461 for the 6000 square foot skate area. Along with skateboarding, the park will be used for other wheeled sports including roller skates and rollerblading, scooters and even wheelchairs, according to the Skate Cambria website.
The low bid came in at $1.344 million, on a total project funding of $1.69 million. Some of the project monies have previously been spent on design, permitting, and other pre-construction tasks.
As part of Clark’s presentation, the budget items were discussed included the following funds in the package: Maintenance Fund, $69,312; Construction Fund, $623,000; and Mechanics Account, $14,274.
CCC will provide the $175 thousand in funds to cover the bid gap by moving money from the Fiscalini Ranch Disk Golf Course to the Cambria Skate Park project and by using income from funds bequeathed to the CCC. The latter will also create a dedicated account for the $201,000 contingency fund for possible project over-runs.
CCSD Board Vice President, Karen Dean, was quick to compliment everyone on CCSD staff and board for working with CCC and Skate Cambria to move the project to this outcome.
Board members Tom Gray, Deborah Scott, Harry Farmer, Michael Thomas, Karen Dean voted unanimously for the State Park’s continuance.
Thomas concurred with other board members thanking and congratulating the CCC, especially Clark, for following through with integrity, the responsibility to fund the gaps, and contingencies. Board President, Harry Farmer, echoed the relief many felt because a confrontational meeting was avoided. When asked how he was doing earlier in the meeting, Farmer answered the courtesy with “Ask me in about four hours.”
The pre-construction process should take four to six weeks. No timetable was stated for construction and completion.
“Skate park construction should commence in four to six weeks, but don’t hold me to it” Timothy Carmen, legal counsel, said, “These are just off the top.”
Matthew McElhenie agreed to coordinate staff efforts to work out the funding agreement and keep the CCSD board current with progress or any issues that arise..
