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The Review September 29, 2015

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Youth leader’s vision: Memorial Skate Park

Loveland director: Repurposing pool wouldn’t cost district a dime BY BRENDEN WEST bwest@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5529 @BWest_SVM

the park’s problem into an opportunity, and repurpose the pool rather than restore it.

DIXON – “My predecessor at Loveland Community Center had a sign: ‘Do not talk to skateboarders. Call the police,’� Steve Wilson said Wednesday at the Park Board’s regular meeting. “I ripped it down the first day I got there.�

Not everyone’s going to like the idea, Wilson admitted, but he said it’s worth considering. Wilson proposed a partnership between the two groups that would turn Memorial Pool into Memorial Skate Park at no cost to Dixon Parks.

The board oversees Veterans Memorial Pool, a facility that was closed 15 years ago and that would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to revive. It’s decaying, routinely trespassed, and becoming difficult for the cash-strapped district to maintain. Wilson, who leads Project GenNex, a group of teenagers and adults whose aim is to bring a youth center to Dixon, said teens like to skate, but they have nowhere safe to do it. On Wednesday night, he offered an idea that could solve both the district’s dilemma, and GenNex’s. If the district and Project GenNex pool their resources, they might be able to turn

“Skaters in this town are athletes without a place to go,� Wilson said. “We looked at the pool, and we said something better can be done here.� By obtaining donations, grants, and in-kind contributions, Wilson said GenNex would turn a dilapidated structure into something that will benefit Dixon. With minor touchups, the pool would become a skating bowl surrounded by meeting rooms, recreational space, a cafeteria and tutoring rooms – amenities that would help enrich teens in a clean environment. The youngsters are the most important part of the equation, he said – most of the GenNex’ers joining him at the

meeting were high school age, or close to it – and he said the pool plan would be a chance to give the young demographic something to have a stake in. Wilson, who directs Loveland, has seen firsthand the benefits communities derive from such ownership. “I’ve been working with kids for about 30 years now,� he said. “If we get teens on board immediately, they take ownership, especially if it’s for them.� Board members, while open to the possibility, had questions.

coincided with words of warning from board Chairman Ron Pritchard: What about the people clinging to hope that they can bring back Memorial Pool as it was in its heyday? “I want to make sure that you’re aware of how much you’re biting off,� Pritchard said. “I’m not opposed to it, but you should be aware.

Addressing cost concerns, Wilson said the park would be financed solely by contributions and not a dime of Park District money; he estimated it could be done for $50,000. On the potential for vandalism, he said the facility would be supervised by adults, lit at all times, and would have security upgrades to prevent break-ins. For maintenance, Wilson said the group will hold annual fundraisers to help make the facility selfsustaining.

Countering that, 18-year-old GenNex member Jimmy Taylor asked: What about Dixon’s kids who want to skate and are starving for somewhere safe? Taylor showed the board a 3-minute video – filmed, edited and narrated by him.

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The integrity of the pool – its name, its historical references – would remain, Wilson added. The group was founded 2 years ago, but Wednesday marked the first public reveal of Project GenNex’s goal. Wilson said other sites have been considered, but the pool is most the best option, based on location, the need of Dixon Parks to solve pool problems, and youths’ needs for a safe outlet. Continued on Page 2

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“It’s the No. 1 hangout spot for teens,� he said during a clip showing kids skating in the Wendy’s parking lot. “We’d like to turn the pool into something more.�

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