WOONSOCKET – The ramp arrived and was set up Thursday evening, said Raymond Huot.
Blocks were put into the place temporarily while they finish the work week, he said, then they’ll get fresh layers installed, “and it’s open season.”
“WSRP Woonsocket Skatepark Revitalization Project wants to give a big thanks to Glen Bartholomew, an OG Woonsocket Skater, and his crew for their hands and Plante’s Auto Body for their generous donation of time and gas to the community to get this delivered safely,” he said.
Original story: The Woonsocket Skatepark is getting its first new piece of equipment in a long time after the Woonsocket Skatepark Revitalization Project has teamed up with local skaters to secure a halfpipe for the park.
The new mini ramp is set to be delivered shortly, said Raymond Huot, the organizer behind WSRP.
The purchase is being made for a mere $500, said advocate Glen Bartholomew in a post. He shouted out all friends and people in the community who donated the money needed.
Bartholomew heard back from Mayor Chris Beauchamp’s office Wednesday that the city will accept what the mayor’s office called a generous offer.
“They responded quickly and got back to me with the approval for it by the end of the day,” said Bartholomew. “It will be getting picked up tomorrow.”
Asked how the acquisition came at such a price, Huot said the original owner in Somerville, Mass., needed it gone and was able to be talked down on his price.
“They usually go unsold and rot away,” Huot told The Local Insider.
Plante’s Auto Body and Sales is assisting in the transport of the skatepark fixture, said Huot.
WSRP caught wind of the opportunity and they helped seize the day, he said. Bartholomew’s efforts coordinating the deal and his commitment to the Woonsocket skating community will be felt for years to come, he said.
“Get ready, Woonsocket!”
An online fundraiser has raised nearly $1,000 to support the future restoration of the Woonsocket Skatepark.
The Woonsocket Skate Park Community Fund has raised $557 on a $5,000 goal as of Friday afternoon, July 31.
Huot has taken it upon himself to bring back the long-dormant skate park located off Hamlet Avenue. The park’s current condition and lack of modern equipment limits its use and makes it a bit of a safety risk, he maintains.
Huot previously shared his aim to restore the park.
He says upgrading the park will promote healthy, active lifestyles, especially for local youth, who need constructive outdoor activities close to school and home. It would also help boost local commerce by connecting the Cass Park Complex and surrounding businesses, creating a vibrant corridor for the city, he maintains.
