by Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services

NNSL (Aug 22/97) - A city plan to build a skateboard park has encountered a rough ride, and it's not over yet.

The city budgeted $70,000 for the project, after receiving appeals and a petition from two city youth.

The cost of the project the city had originally proposed was much higher than anticipated, said senior administrator Doug Lagore, so the park was scaled back.

But even with the modifications the total projected cost of the park is now pegged at $80,233.

That may rise again, depending on the outcome of a development appeals board hearing.

Urbco, the developer of a condominium project adjacent to the proposed site of the park, said that unless precautions are taken, noise from the park will make its project a less desirable place to live.

The city plans to build the facility in park space next to Ecole St. Joseph on Range Lake Road.

"The developer wishes to place conditions on the development permit, with regard to noise attenuation, to minimize the impact on the surrounding neighborhood," explained city clerk Brian Chambers Tuesday.

"I don't know how the development appeals board can disapprove it," said Lagore, noting the city has received no objection from area residents and the park would be subject to city noise bylaws.

Urbco will state its case to the development appeals board at a hearing slated for 7 p.m. Sept. 2.

Meanwhile, second thoughts on its winning bid on a tender for the park cost a local construction company its deposit.

A staff report states Camco Construction submitted the lowest bid. But when it came time to make a contract, Camco said it could not complete the work for the price they named.

The deposit was 10 per cent of the bid, which the city would not disclose.

The contract was turned over to the only other bidder on the contract, Nahanni Construction.