Granted, we can't ollie, grind, or rock and roll. In fact, we get dizzy just thinking about a 180 or 360. God help us on a backside 720 or (gulp) anything close to a 900.

But even with our lack of skateboarding abilities, we still strongly support the latest effort to build a large-scale skate plaza in St. Cloud. In fact, we believe regional tax dollars should be used to fill this much-needed, modern-day void in public places aimed at serving today's youths.

That's why we encourage all metro-area residents to attend a public meeting on this effort, from 6-8 p.m. Nov. 28 at St. Cloud City Hall chambers, 400 Second St. S.

New push, old theme

Fourteen-year-old skate-park activist Austin Lee, with help from Mayor Dave Kleis, is bringing renewed momentum to this longstanding challenge. Lee drew national attention in recent months for his activism, especially after Kleis appointed him to the city's parks and recreation advisory board.

We applaud and appreciate the efforts of Lee and Kleis. This editorial board has long supported building a quality skateboard facility meant to serve the metro area, ideally all year long. (Think inflatable-yet-removable dome.)

With the help of Site Design Group Inc., a firm experienced in planning and building skate parks and plazas, Lee is seeking to create a 40,000-square-foot outdoor plaza. At about 1 acre in size, the plaza would consist of everyday sidewalks, benches, railings and curbs, which are all connected. The difference is these are all for skateboarding or inline skating only.

The plaza concept differs from a skate park, which is more of a paved surface with various "skateable features" sitting on it (think ramps, pipes, rails, etc.).

Use public funds

While the current proposal relies mostly on private donations, we suggest public money be used and that it come in per-capita amounts from the area cities implementing the half-cent sales tax.

We suggest this for three reasons. First, efforts to build a facility using private funds have failed to flourish since 1999. Second, this will be a regional facility, attracting users from far beyond the metro area. And third, it's expensive. Count on spending at least a couple of hundred thousand dollars, perhaps up to $1 million, for a premium facility.

Leaders of the metro-area cities should recognize that and work together to provide the funding. Not only would it be a good show of regional cooperation, but it would make a strong statement about how this community supports the wide-ranging interests and needs of its younger residents.

Now, about those chickenfoot landings ...

What you can do

» Attend the informational meeting from 6-8 p.m. Nov. 28 at St. Cloud City Hall chambers, 400 Second St. S.

» For information, visit www.stcloudskatepark.com or call 654-8955.

» Mail donations to Central Minnesota Community Foundation, 101 Seventh Ave. S, St. Cloud, MN 56301. Specify the money is for the skate plaza.