Timmins boarders, bladers and BMXers smiling

Boarders, bladers and BMX bikers in Timmins are smiling. The Rotary Club of Timmins-Porcupine has pledged $50,000 towards the creation a new community youth park in the central part of the city for 2012.
Rotarian Gary Scripnick, a businessman and city councillor, announced this week that if enough community partners can come together, there is a good chance the new park could be created for the final year of the city’s 100th anniversary celebrations in 2012.
The initial plan is for a 20,000 square-foot area that would appeal to a variety of wheel sports such as skateboarding, rollerblading and BMX riding. Basketball courts are also being considered.
A core group is being set up to plan a location for such a park and to consider the costs and fundraising plans. The overall cost of the venture could be as high as $800,000. Discussions so far have indicated the Hollinger Park would be an ideal location for the facility.
Scripnick is optimistic that a state-of-the-art park would be a first class feature for Timmins and allow a large group of wheel sports followers to enjoy themselves in a central and safe environment.
Rotary has a history of significant community projects in the city. One of the best known is the Rotary recreational trail which connects the east end with the central part of Timmins for cyclists and hikers.