By By Kerry Whipple Bean – publisher
Brewton youth may soon have a new place to play, with construction set to begin on a skateboard park at Burnt Corn Creek Park.
The Brewton City Council approved the start of work at its Tuesday meeting - but none of the $36,000 will come from city coffers. Instead, the city's Quality of Life Committee raised all of the money from donations and proceeds from last year's Brewton Songwriters Festival.
The skateboard park is just one of many improvements planned for Burnt Corn Creek Park.
Other projects planned include a bandstand - next on the list of improvements - a welcome center, splashpad and outdoor movie screen. The city has also received a $500,000 grant from the state to continue the walking path at the park to O'Bannon Park.
Mayor Ted Jennings thanked Poole and the rest of the committee for their progress on the park.
Jennings said that although the city did not contribute financially to the project, the council's approval was necessary to start construction. The park is owned by the city.
Councilwoman Ann Marie Sasser asked if liability would be a problem for the skateboard park.
Poole noted that the project has been endorsed by the Alabama League of Municipalities, and similar parks exist in Bay Minette and Andalusia.
The Quality of Life Committee hopes to fund more improvements to the park with proceeds from a March Brewton Music Festival, which will feature the Oak Ridge Boys as headliners. Tickets are on sale now for that event at George's Barbecue and NDI and also through TicketMaster.