By Sara Quam
Area youth looking for recreation other than playgrounds are closer to getting a skate park.
The Luverne City Council Tuesday approved a location north of the tennis courts and south of the power plant for the park. It also committed $1,500 to the project.
The equipment funds of $4,000 have already been spent by the Rock County Collaborative, which spearheaded the efforts with a student group.
"We thought it would be a good start on a skate park, and maybe in the future we could get more stuff through fund-raisers," eighth-grader Brett Hood said.
In addition to the equipment, though, the skate park needs to be set in a concrete pad that could cost $10,000. The Collaborative will pay $3,000 of that, but the rest is still up in the air.
In order for the Collaborative's money to be used, the project has a June 30 deadline or the money goes back to the state.
Equipment at the skate park will be rails and three-foot-high ramps. The park itself with be 50 feet by 50 feet as the students determined from testing measurements in the school gym.
The skate park plan was started when Rock County students in grades six through 12 were surveyed by the Collaborative. The overwhelming response was that they wanted more entertainment options.
Jane Wildung worked with the students and serves on the Collaborative board. She said, "We're always trying to get additional entertainment. We think the skate park would be a wonderful addition."
Because the ramps are low, liability insurance for the city won't be affected. The location is ideal because it's a high-traffic area with restroom facilities nearby.
Councilman David Hauge said, "I think it's a good idea. I've always said that Luverne needs more things for its young people to do."
Council member Keith Erickson agreed. "With the lower equipment, it will draw in the younger kids, and it gives [the older ones] a great opportunity to teach."
Refuse collection
The council clarified its garbage collection policy and decided to allow Ketterling Services to pick up the garbage at Mary Jane Brown Good Samaritan Home, the Minnesota Vets Home and assisted living or congregate care facilities in town.
Councilman Jim Kirchhofer said, "One of the main reasons, in my mind, is that once upon a time, Ketterling did have the Mary Jane Brown Home."
He said the council further reasoned that the facilities are residential, but residents are under someoneÕs care and are paying a fee for that.
Councilman Tom Martius cast the only vote against the change in city pickups. He said, "We really didn't have all the information that I thought we needed."
The city will continue to pick up garbage at city and county facilities, churches and residences.