A dream comes true...			...in Burns Lake
			by Diana Roberts

The Rotary Y2K SK8 Park is a dream come true for a group of Burns Lake youth. After three years of trying to get a skateboard park, these young men approached the Rotary Club of Burns Lake for help. The Rotary took it on as their major project for 1999. They found an appropriate piece of property, which was donated by the Village of Burns Lake, then hired a designer, Jim Barnum of Spectrum Creations in Whistler.

It's at Radley Beach

Jim came to Burns Lake and got together with some of the skaterboarders and Rotarians to decide just what was wanted and needed for a skateboard park. Each skater drew out their idea of the perfect park. After looking at these drawings and the site, Jim was able to come up with a great design for the group. Jim Barnum was realistic in dealing with the budgets set, changes made and had a positive attitude which really helped keep the club and kids motivated. The blueprints were excellent, and the 3-D designs made it possible to see what the park would look like when finished.

George Hamp... ready to go!

Jim Minger was hired as the project manager to get things organized and keep on schedule. George Hamp, of Flintstone Concrete, volunteered his expertise and spent all summer on the project. The kids and the Rotarians showed up at the site whenever their help was needed, which was on an almost daily basis. They also worked behind the scenes, fund raising and organizing, which was an enormous job. When the Rotarians went to the public for support, there was a tremendous response. The largest expense for the project was concrete, so it was decided that it would be best to have donations in yards of concrete. This worked very well with contributions coming in from all over the Lakes District, not only in cash, but also in labour. Many businesses also donated snacks and meals for the workers on site.