CLEARLAKE — shade structure was constructed at the Andy Johnson Memorial BMX/Skatepark on Saturday. The project was made possible thanks to the combined efforts of the community and a generous donation from Redbud Healthcare District.
The project has been in the works for the past few months and included the efforts of several volunteers. The construction plans were drafted by youth advocate Ken Savin, who also secured the grant from the healthcare district. The labor was donated by Tony Bordessa Construction, Inc., which has contributed to numerous youth-associated endeavors in the community.
“Originally we were looking at one of those carport-type structures but the city didn”t think that would be aesthetically pleasing,” Savin said. The structure, which was approved by the Clearlake City Council on July 24, is a gazebo-type structure that provides shade and seating for users of the park. Savin said that he and others, who have taken the lead on BMX/skatepark issues, hope to build another structure in the future and continue efforts to enhance the park as finances permit.
The project was funded with money that was left over from the $5000 grant provided by the healthcare district following $3300 in facility repairs. “It means a lot that people in this city are willing to rally around the youth,” Savin said with regard to receiving the grant. “We”re grateful that people of the city have come together again to support the youth.”
Bordessa and his professional crew at Tony Bordessa Construction, Inc., gave up their Saturday to provide the manual labor for the project. Bordessa and crewmen John Hays, Sam Stoker and Ken Ryan said they were happy to contribute. “The crew and myself were all for donating our time and labor to the kids of our community,” Bordessa said. “Anything that we can do for the community and the kids is worth it to me and I”m fortunate to have a great group of guys who feel the same way.”
Bordessa Construction, Inc. has contributed to numerous youth endeavors throughout the years such as bathroom reconstruction at Redbud Ballpark. Bordessa said the company”s next big endeavor will be contributing to the reconstruction of the ballpark, which is a project currently being spearheaded by Southshore Little League. “As a community we have to pull together to make sure our children have positive outlets for all their energy,” he said. “We have made a commitment to the league and we will be right there to help ensure this dream becomes a reality for the sake of our children.”
The ballpark project is estimated to cost $980,000 and will be carried out on a five year construction plan. The league is currently awaiting word on a $200,000 grant from the PG&E Stewardship Council. League representative Lori Peters reported that the league expects response in November regarding the status of the grant, which will be used to carry out the first phase of the plan.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com.
