Penhold & District Optimist Club is pushing to make a skatepark a reality in the community in 2019.

They've been fundraising since 2016.

Skatepark Chair with the Club, Brenda Mahoney says they have some steep goals this year.

“We’ve raised approximately $50,000 in cash, we have $50,000 in the land and we’re actually looking for $600,000.  We’re hoping with another $200,000 by the end of summer, we’ll be able to apply for a grant and get a matching grant for the rest of it”.

The Club has secured land near Penhold Crossing Secondary School and the Multi-plex.

Mahoney says the location is ideal and would provide so much to youth in the community.

“There’s not a lot for the older kids to do in Penhold and this would really bring out a lot more of the youth into the community and especially with skateboarding becoming an Olympic event in 2020, we have a lot of interest from outside Penhold as well”.

The club has asked the Town to consider matching the funds they are able to raise.

New Line Skateparks completed a design for the park in 2012; it includes the town’s quill logo at the centre of the park.

Mahoney says New Line has some upcoming projects on the books in neighbouring communities that they are hopeful for some cost sharing.

“We’re really hoping to piggy back on Innisfail’s or Bowden’s skatepark building so that we can both save money by sharing hotel fees and that way they can organize it so somebody is doing cement and then they go to the next park, hopefully we can save some money by really helping each other out”.

The Penhold & District Optimist Club has a number of fundraising events planned in the community months, for more information follow their Facebook Page  or email skatepark4penhold@gmail.com.