Save the Minersville Area Skate Park
The Skatepark is in great need! Without being able to have fundraisers through the pandemic. They are out of funds and have a bill due that they can not miss! Let's help them out!
Article from The Republican Herald:
MINERSVILLE — The organization that runs the skatepark in the borough is hoping to raise enough money to cover the insurance premiums required to keep the facility open.
Bobbie Domlesky, secretary of the Minersville Skatepark Association, which maintains the park off Line Street, said for the second year in a row the premium for their insurance, is around $4,000.
It is due by next month.
Borough officials require the group, as a private organization, to have the insurance in order to keep the park open.
Since the organization formed in 2010, Domlesky said the premium was around $2,000, but it increased last year for the first time to around $4,000, which she said didn’t come as a surprise considering the pandemic.
The organization was able to pay last year’s premium through money raised the previous year earmarked for the insurance. However, Domlesky said no money came in last year as the organization wasn’t able to hold fundraisers because of pandemic restrictions on gatherings. The group also found online fundraisers to be hard to pull off.
Adding to the burden, she said, was that last year’s higher premiums meant the group spent all the money it had. If the organization doesn’t have the insurance, Domlesky said, the borough will shut down the skatepark.
“We don’t want to go there,” she said.
This year, she said the insurance is expected to cost $3,960, with a little over $1,000 raised as of Sunday.
Leslie Nester, with office on Sunbury Street, is the insurance agent.
Domlesky said that although the borough has always said it won’t put the skatepark on its liability insurance, she said the organization sent officials a letter outlining the situation.
Council President Katielynn Milbrandt said no one is looking to close the complex, adding the topic came up at last week’s council meeting.
“The skatepark just needs to provide the insurance that has been agreed upon in the lease,” she said. “They are not unique in having to provide this, as many organizations in our town have the same requirement in their lease.”
Although she said board members learned about the high premium six weeks ago, she disclosed the information publicly on social media a few weeks ago. Since then, she said she has received an outpouring of support from the Minersville community.
Several signs informing the public about a fundraiser have been affixed to the skatepark’s rule board.
“No Insurance = No Stake Park. Any extra towards next year and improvements. It is up to you!” reads one.
The skatepark organization has received donations via checks and through PayPal.
However, she some some individuals have done their own fundraisers for the park.
“They have been very good to us,” Domlesky said.
In addition, she has also sent emails to friends and businesses that financially supported the park in the past to donate. Those wishing to donate can do so through PayPal or by mailing checks to Minersville Skatepark Association, 2 E. Sunbury St., Minersville, PA 17954.
Milbrandt said she is hopeful the fundraising goal will be met.
Domlesky said the skatepark, which has been in operation since 2014, is a popular amenity for the residents.
“It’s always there for the kids,” she said. “It gets used regularly.”
Want to join me in making a difference? I'm raising money to benefit Minersville Area Skatepark Association, and any donation will help make an impact. Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me.
More information about Minersville Area Skatepark Association: To raise the money to build, maintain, and improve an outdoor open-to-the-public concrete skatepark in our community. To give the kids in our town a place to go to do their "thing" - skateboard, bike, or scooter. Keep them out of trouble and getting some fresh air and exercise.. Its ALL about the kids !!!