West Virginia officials dedicate Berkeley skatepark
MARTINSBURG, WV – So what if their skatepark doesn’t have heat? Skateboarders and BMX riders around the region are simply grateful they now have one to call home.
The Berkeley County BMX/Skatepark was officially dedicated Tuesday night in its location, an old cold-storage warehouse that previously stored apples and other fruits. The facility is adjacent to the BP gas station/ROCS convenience store off of Kelly Island Road.
The idea for the park came about quite some time ago, but it had been consistently battled by the state because of liability insurance, said Steve Catlett, executive director of Martinsburg-Berkeley County Parks and Recreation.
Catlett spoke Tuesday to a crowd of about 40 people, which included members of the Martinsburg City Council and Berkeley County Commission. He said state representatives eventually softened their stance, as they viewed skateparks comparable with other athletic venues in terms of injuries.
Funding and location also were issues for the park creation. Catlett said skaters had always been reprimanded for meandering around the city, but they never had an option for a place of their own.
“The problem was we never had a solution,” Catlett said.
Now, with a generous monetary contribution from the now-defunct Beth Jacob Synagogue & Jewish Community Center and the contribution of property from Roach Energy, which owns the facility, skaters and BMX riders can now flock to the skatepark, which features $50,000 of equipment, including quarter-pipes, bank ramps and roll-ins.
Catlett said there is also a second cold-storage unit behind a wall that currently contains a large amount of apples. Once the apples are removed, the unit could be viewed as an expansion of the park, which is currently a 6,100-square-foot facility.
“Where we are now is a great start, and to have this funding put into public recreation for people to enjoy themselves is great,” Catlett said.
Mark Peacemaker, a self-proclaimed “skatepark parent,” said he was absolutely thankful for the Parks and Recreation board, especially with Catlett at the helm.
“It’s remarkable how far they can stretch a dollar, and what they can do with such a small budget,” Peacemaker said. “It’s just a blessing to have it all come together.”
He also expressed gratitude to the Roach family for its contributions. Peacemaker said he wrote a letter for The Journal’s editorial page that stated the ideas that he and fellow members of the park’s citizen group had. His lone response came from Joan Roach of Roach Energy, who wanted to help make the park a reality.
Roach said she was more than happy to utilize the space for the park.
“It thrills me to see kids having a place to go and do positive things,” she said. “It’s just wonderful how respectful everyone is also.”
Martinsburg City Councilman Richard Yauger was in amazement while watching bikers and skaters nail tricks that appeared to defy the laws of physics.
“This is just a fantastic thing to be a part of,” Yauger said.
Catlett said he hopes the park will sustain itself through user fees, which can be found online at www.mbcparks-rec.org. The park’s hours and rules also are available at the site.
The doors will officially open at 5 p.m. today. Skaters under 18 must have a parent or legal guardian’s signature on the park’s liability waiver.
[ The Journal ]
