New grant money hope for Kovach skate park redevelopment

After their funding hopes were dashed last year, the Columbia Valley Skateboard Association has new hopes to secure crucial grant money for their skatepark redevelopment project at Kovach Park.

Skatepark features of the proposed redevelopment design of the skateboard park at Kovach Park. Photo: concept model – New Line Skateparks

The CVSA were knocked back in July last year when their grant application for $500,000 in the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure fund was rejected.

At the time, CVSA president Karl Jost took the news well and was determined to focus on moving forward.

Now, the Columbia Basin Trust Recreation Infrastructure grant program has been announced. Revelstoke councillors, at the upcoming Feb. 9 city council meeting, will discuss whether to direct city staff to make an application to it for $500,000 for the skateboard park redevelopment project.

There will be two intakes for the grant program this year and the first deadline is Monday, Mar. 14.

The city has rated the skateboard park redevelopment as a high priority project and it is currently the only proposal that is shovel ready. Other future projects include:

• Williamson’s Lake park and campground redevelopment
• Splash park development
• Trails plan
• Potential development of arena and curling rink

If this grant application is successful, the CVSA will still need to fundraise to reach the total estimated project cost of about $800,000. They have an ongoing commitment of $250,000 from the hotel tax Tourism Infrastructure Fund.

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