WC Wisconsin News

A group of Eau Claire skateboarding enthusiasts is determined to turn the dream of a new skate park in the city into reality.

Eau Claire Skaters Association (ECSA) founder Gabe Brummet told WQOW that his organization strives to secure a place where they and people just like them can enjoy their hobby.

“We look at the world as our playground, you know, so having dedicated legal space is a great thing, so that’s what we advocate for,” Brummet told the station.

Brummet added that the ECSA is working with the Eau Claire city government to build a new skate park in Boyd Park.

The group hopes to gather input from skaters in the next three design workshops.

While skateboarding has been wildly popular for about half a century now, it is during the ongoing Tokyo Olympics in which the outdoor activity made its debut.

WEAU reported that the ECSA hopes that would translate into the proposed park coming into fruition and providing an opportunity for skaters to express themselves without endangering other people or property.

Knowing the park comes with a hefty price tag, the organization has taken initiative to raise funds.

In 2013, the city agreed that the park would be built if the skaters could muster $75,000.

The ECSA raked in more than $80,000, but it appears more work has to be done with the project costing almost $200,000, WQOW reported.

"I think that if we as a group made it to $100,000 and then asked the city to pay for the other half, I feel like that would be fair, but I don't know if that's what's going to happen," Brummet told the station.