Mission Statement
The mission of the Helena Skate Park Improvement Group, Inc. (HSPIG) is to promote physical fitness and make Helena’s skatepark more safe, challenging, and inclusive by creating skate terrain appropriate to the diverse ages and skill levels of those who skate.

Background
The City of Helena built Helena’s existing 10,000 square foot skate park in 2000. The park has proven to be an increasingly popular social and recreational destination for Helena’s youth. Where it was once common for 10 skaters to use the park concurrently, we now see twice that number when weather is favorable. HSPIG formed in September 2005 to rally the skaters, the City, and would-be supporters to address the need for the expansion. Over one-third of our funding has come from the hard work of hosting fundraising events, soliciting donations and applying for grants. Our Director, Pete Brown, a Helena Parks Board Member played a significant role in the establishment and success of the 2007 Helena Parks Bond that allocates $180,000 for our project. With a significant portion of funding secured and construction documents at the 95% stage, we plan to begin construction of a 7,000 square foot expansion in Spring 2009.  

Why Expand?
Beyond the crowded conditions at the park during peak season, skaters using the park range in age from four to 40. It is apparent that this diversity of concurrent users calls for a diversity of skate terrain and social spaces. New terrain will include beginner and advanced terrain to complement our park’s existing intermediate terrain. Benches and tables accompanying the beginner area will create a social space where eight-year olds don’t have to mix with 18 year-olds, and where parents can watch their young kids. Just as other sports are segregated by age, we feel it is important to design the skatepark expansion with the intent of providing age and skill appropriate terrain resulting in a safer, more inclusive experience for park users.

Our Contributors
The success of our effort is due to the investment of time and creativity of the skaters. Skaters have filmed and screened their own skate videos at the Myrna Loy Center, designed and sold t-shirts, hosted skate contests, rock shows, and held art raffles. Our fundraising events are always fun and deliberately focus on skating and art, reflecting the skaters themselves.

Helena businesses have recognized the merit of our project through donations and event sponsorship. Sponsors who have made significant contributions include: Helena Sand & Gravel, Taco del Sol, Real Foods, Big Sky Board Sports, Grimes Motors, BKBH Law, Bobcat of Helena, Dr. Tim Ballweber, and Saunders Jewelers. Non-profits who’ve supported us include the Myrna Loy Center, Downtown Helena, and the Eagles Lodge.

In addition to our public events we’ve worked hard behind the scenes. This June the Montana Skatepark Association awarded us a grant for $45,000; in 2006 Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks selected HSPIG to receive $5,000 in funding through their Recreation Trails Grant; we’ve secured a $10,000 pledge from Jeff Ament of Pearl Jam, and in January 2008 Helena Sand & Gravel pledged a $3,500 cost reduction for concrete. We continue with our events and appeals to earn funding and make a 2009 construction date a reality.

Click Here for a PDF of the Cost Estimate.

Expansion Area Site Photos
Click on a number to see the site photo from that point.

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Helena Skate Park Improvement Group, Inc.