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Downtown Spindale will soon be home to a state-of-the-art skatepark and pump track, as town leaders continue to prioritize investment in outdoor recreation opportunities. A significant leadership gift was granted to the project by Meta (formerly the Facebook company), as part of a larger $300,000 donation to support enhancements to the Thermal Belt Rail Trail.
"If it weren't for Meta's investment in our community, the Skatepark would simply not be possible at this time," said Spindale Town Manager Scott Webber. "Their initial funding has been the catalyst, the spark needed, to move this project from concept to reality and has led to additional funding partners coming to the table to help bring this project to fruition."
"We're proud to support the Spindale Skatepark & Pump Track," said Tara Tenorio, Community Development Regional Manager at Meta. "It's an exciting enhancement to the Thermal Belt Rail Trail and will be a tremendous amenity for our community. We are grateful to the team of local business, civic and government visionaries who have come together to create this unique experience that will be enjoyed by all of our neighbors in Rutherford County."
Meta has been part of the Western North Carolina community since breaking ground on its Forest City Data Center in 2010.
The future Spindale Skatepark & Pump Track will be located at the intersection of East Main and Steward Streets in Downtown Spindale, on 1.6 acres of land donated by the Spindale United Methodist Church and is directly adjacent to the Thermal Belt Rail Trail (TBRT).
"The town is grateful and appreciative of the generosity of Spindale United Methodist Church. This gift will benefit the town and its citizens and will take advantage of the proximity of the property to the "Rails to Trails", said the Mayor of Spindale, Mickey Bland.
"As longtime advocates of the revitalization of the town of Spindale, the people of Spindale United Methodist Church are exceedingly excited about the vast possibilities a new skate park brings to the area. As is gleaned from the early church in antiquity, having a sense of community (Greek "Koinonia") is woven into the very fabric of who we are as God's people. Thus, in donating our front property to the town of Spindale to be used as a safe connecting point for people of all ages, Spindale UMC is humbled by the opportunity to take faithful steps in expanding the boundaries of God's purest space (Koinonia) within our beloved community." -Eric Alan Marshburn, Spindale United Methodist Church
The proximity of the Spindale Skatepark & Pump Track to the Thermal Belt Rail Trail is an excellent opportunity to attract a brand new user group to the trail. The TBRT is a remarkable community asset that originated from a concerted effort to connect several municipalities and encourage collaboration within the county. As the trail continues to grow, these relationships have been cemented and additional communities have been brought into this joint effort.
Alex Gotherman with Boone-based planning and design firm Destination by Design (DbD), presented plans for the Spindale Skatepark & Pump Track to area leaders at the January 24 Board of Commissioners meeting. The American Ramp Company, a national leader in skate parks, will be responsible for the final design and construction of the skatepark and pump track. In addition to these recreation facilities, current plans include new restrooms near the rail trail, a shelter with picnic tables, and custom bike racks and benches.
The Spindale Skatepark & Pump Track initiative was originally introduced as part of the Thermal Belt Rail Trail Enhancement Master Plan, which was led by the Rutherford County Tourism Development Authority, Rutherford County, and municipal leaders from Rutherfordton, Spindale, and Forest City. The Town of Spindale has secured approximately $820,000 for this project thus far and will continue to pursue additional grant opportunities throughout 2022 while engineering documents are being prepared. A groundbreaking for the project is expected in spring 2023.
The Benefits of Skateparks - In 2020, The Pullias Center for Higher Education at USC revealed outcomes from 'Beyond the Board', a first-of-its-kind study of skateboarding culture, showing that skateboarding improves mental health, fosters community, and encourages diversity and resilience.
Key findings from the study include:
• Skateboarding improves mental health
• Skateboarding and skateparks facilitate a sense of community among skaters
• Skateboarding encourages resilience
• Gender and race matter
Donors to the Spindale Skate Park & Pump track include:
• Meta (formerly the Facebook company)
• Town of Spindale
• Spindale United Methodist Church
• Rutherford County Tourism Development Authority (RCTDA)
• Rutherford County (TDA Funds Allocation)
