Stopping at the Tama City Council Chambers Monday night to get a look at a proposed design for Tama’s new Skateboard Park were these skateboard enthusiasts (l-R0 Elmer Troxell, Julio Castro, Shawn Purk Jr. and Dylan Martens. Tama Mayor Dan Zimmerman is at the right and Stuart Eisentrager, street superintendent is at the left. ANOTHER?PHOTO?PAGE?2. News-Herald/John Speer

While it may seem things are “skating” uphill to some skateboard enthusiasts, work on the Tama Skateboard Park continued with another work session on Tuesday night.

The initial work for readying the site was estimated to cost some $19,600 when first proposed in 2009.

Donations from private citizens funds dedicated to the project total $9,098. In addition, police department donations which can be used total another $3,500. Manatt’s Company has also pledged $1,000 in support.

This leaves about $6,100 for the city to pick up in expenses if the old estimate price holds close just for the base portion of the project.

Mayor Dan Zimmerman unveiled a proposed design for the park from Alex Vestal of the American Ramp Company, Joplin, Mo., at the monday night meeting of the Tama City Council.

It includes ramps and obstacles made of steel rather than wood, Zimmerman said.

The design includes a thee-year, three-phase plan.

The first year has a total cost of $12,472. The second year cost is $12,445 and the third year is $10,895.

Council members said they were unsure how the three phases could be funded.

The area will also include a basketball court, exercise area for differently-abler persons and a parking area.

The park is being built on the former site of the south Tama School tennis courts at 9th and Mcclellan. The property was given to the City of Tama after the South Tama Elementary School was relocated.

Now retired Police Chief Dan Wilkens has been heading up the project.