City considers skate park at old pool site

The City is exploring repurposing the old municipal swimming pool as a skate park, City Administrator Simon Dwyer told the Council at their Nov. 25 meeting.

Mr. Dwyer said he has been talking to residents who back the idea and has researched grants and other funding that would allow the City to use concrete from the old pool to create the skate park.

“I’ve been having discussions about using what’s already there … we could use some of it for a skate park,” he said. “And there are grants available that I’ve looked into.”

Local groups, including Keep Olney Beautiful and the Olney Skatepark Advocacy Group (OSAG) have been trying to raise money and interest in a skate park at Tom Griffin Park for years.

“[The KOB] board has done quite a bit of research already and I’ve been forwarded that information,” Mr. Dwyer said.

City crews demolished the old concession stand and restrooms and were preparing to jackhammer the concrete from the old pool before filling it in.

“First steps, kind of get that other part cleaned up,” Mayor Rue Rogers said.

In 2021, KOB and OSAG determined that the best location for the skate park would be at Tom Griffin Park - north of the pool and east of the basketball-tennis court. At that time, the groups estimated they would need about $130,000 to build the skate park.

OSAG organizer Chris Garcia said the groups have raised approximately $36,000 toward the cost of the park.

Mr. Dwyer said the skate park could be located on the site of the old pool after it is filled in with dirt.