Othello Skatepark opens:
Alex Lobasyuk of Portland, Ore. demonstrates some of the moves skate boarders can practice and perfect at Othello’s Dan Dever Memorial Skatepark.
OTHELLO — Late Othello City Councilman Dan Dever dreamed of and advocated for a skatepark for Othello’s youth. It opened on July 1 and is as popular as Dever hoped.
“He wanted a place where our young people could skate and stay out of trouble,” City Administrator Wade Farris said. “In fact, we had some of those kids involved in the design of the park.”
Although Othello’s youths are using the skatepark, the official ribbon cutting will come after the City completes a brick patio made from donor-funded bricks and a memorial plaque is laid.
The Dan Dever Memorial Skatepark has been named in the late councilman’s honor, Farris noted. Dever drove the four-year effort at the start. The Council continued on after he died in 2014.
The skatepark was built in Lions Park at a cost of $300,000. The City is happy overall, Farris said, but there are some unexpected cracks in the concrete that must be addressed.
The park was built by the skatepark specialist company Spohn Ranch of Los Angeles, Calif. Spohn Ranch has built several skateparks and won this contract through a bid process.
According to Vincent Onei of Spohn Ranch, the Dan Dever Skatepark is just over 6,000 square feet in size.
“That’s a little smaller than our average project, but more than adequate for a city like Othello,” Onei said.
Farris described the skatepark as moderate in size. It would be small in a big city but not in Othello.
“The boarders say its simple enough for beginners but complex enough to keep experienced skaters interested,” Farris said.
“It’s been crowded since it opened,” he added. “The boarders I’ve talked to, including Josh Mose from Moses Lake, owner of a skateboard store, love it.”
According to Onei, this skatepark is complete with essentials such as an open bowl, hip, hubbas, various rails and A-frame.
“We believe Dan Dever would be proud of the skatepark he helped build for the youths of Othello,” he said.
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