By Stephen Kalb-Koenigsfeld, RLACF
Two fiscal sponsors with the Red Lodge Area Community Foundation had reason to celebrate in the last month. The Hellroaring Skate Park celebrated opening day with pizza, pop, and music to mark the unofficial official opening of the new skate park in Red Lodge. And the Red Lodge City Pool broke ground on the first of two phases of the new city pool.
Under bright blue skies, kids took to the new “gravity” park, which transforms a traditional skate park into a place for all types of wheels. Kids on bikes, scooters, and skateboards took laps around the new concrete playground.
Construction was completed earlier this spring but had its unofficial celebration just last month. Thanks to tireless work during the last year and a half, volunteers and donors came together to create a new facility in place of one that was in need of new love.
However, the group isn’t done helping out the youth just yet. A free helmet program is still ongoing to provide safety for new and experienced riders and rollers. Helmets of multiple styles and colors are free to any kids under 18 years of age and live in Carbon County. Reach out to hellroaringhelmets@gmail.com to apply.
Just down the block, another fiscal sponsorship project is just beginning construction. The Red Lodge City Pool put up the fences and tore down the existing structures, making way for the new pool plans.
Phase I of the plan will work on completing the structures and mechanics of the pool. Phase II will include pool house renovations and a splash deck. Through additional fundraising efforts, the Red Lodge City Pool Fund hopes to have a water slide, solar heating and a shade pergola.
The city pool also has a Pool Endowment through the Community Foundation, which will generate funds for pool operation and maintenance expenses. To donate or learn more about the city pool project, visit https://www.rlacf.org/donate-2/local-causes/city-pool-fund/.