From left, Matt Spunaugle, city Parks Department employee; Crystal Surdyk, city development director; Ellen Shadle, city principal planner; Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist; and Trevor Staples, The Skatepark Project manager; during the announcement that Phase 2 of the Jamestown Riverwalk Community Skatepark will be constructed this year. P-J photo by Dennis Phillips

The entire Jamestown Riverwalk Community Skatepark will be constructed this year.

On Tuesday, city officials gathered at the Jamestown Municipal Building to announce the additional funding of $480,000 to construct Phase 2 of the park while Phase 1 is also being done.

“We’re excited to announce the second phase of the skatepark project,” said Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist about the construction of the 10,000-square-foot skatepark. “It will be an incredible destination point for people to come into Jamestown and use our skatepark.”

Last month, the Jamestown City Council approved using an additional $480,000 in Urban Development Action Grant (UDAG) funding to pay for the second phase of the skatepark and for additional cost due to unexpected site work for soil remediation.

In December 2019, the council had previously approved the use of $150,000 in UDAG funds toward the $250,000 needed from the local community to match the $250,000 grant provided by the former Tony Hawk Foundation, which is now known as The Skatepark Project. The Skatepark Project also granted an additional $50,000 to fund processes and skatepark-design features that will minimize the skatepark’s environmental impact.

Prior to the additional funding being allocated for Phase 2, Grindline – the company hired by the city to design the skatepark – said it could only construct about two/thirds of the park with the original $500,000.

Sundquist said the “crown jewel” skatepark will be ready for use during the “full season” of 2022. The park is located along Fairmount Avenue in the city, across the street from McCrea Point Park.

Trevor Staples, The Skatepark Project manager, said the park wouldn’t be possible without the assistance of the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation.

“The Skatepark Project is excited about the project here,” he said.

Staples said the skatepark that will be constructed in Jamestown is similar to the park people can see by watching the skateboarding competition during the Olympics. He said the skatepark competition is scheduled to start next week.

Crystal Surdyk, city development director, said hopefully construction on the skatepark will start next week.

Funding for the project includes $10,000 from the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation and $43,000 from the local fundraising program known as SK8 JTNY. Those interested in still donating funds to the skatepark project can do so by sending a check to the SK8 JTNY fund at the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, 418 Spring St., Jamestown, NY 14701. For more information, visit crcfonline.org.