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Lathrop spending $110K for skate park fencing
Skateboarders
Skateboarders and scooter operators have been able to use Riverbank Skate Park to practice and hone their skills. Whether it's the bowl, the ramps, the rails, the jumps or the steps, in groups large and small, or individually, they're still able to come out to work on their techniques. Even now that 'distance learning' has started up in the local schools, there's plenty of daylight left in the day to work out. Ric McGinnis/The News

Up until now, the skate park at the Lathrop Generations Center has been accessible to whoever wanted to come in – even if it was after the posted hours.

But now that the Lathrop City Council has approved a $110,280 contract with Benton Fencing and Drilling Inc., the skate park – which draws skaters from throughout the region – will now be accessible only during the hours posted.

“The skate park at the Generations Center needs to be secured outside of hours of operation and on occasions when weather and other safety considerations dictate,” the City of Lathrop wrote in the staff report for the council prior to Monday’s meeting. “This project will provide a durable, weather-resistant and attractive fence to secure the Generations Skate Park.”

Constructed as part of the Lathrop Generations Center – a multi-use building on Spartan Way near Lathrop High School that features a teen center and the Lathrop branch of the Stockton-San Joaquin County Public Library – the skate park has become a popular feature for skateboards both in Lathrop and from surrounding communities.

And it’s not the only skate park in town.

The city’s original skate park – located on 7th Street – was initially constructed of plywood and ended up requiring extensive maintenance over the years while at times posing as a safety hazard thanks to exposed nails. While plans were already drawn up for the skate park at the Generations Center, the city opted not to abandon the amenity for those living east of I-5 and instead revamped it with pre-fabricated obstacles that were much hardier than what was initially installed.

With a 10 percent contingency of $11,028, the project has a not-to-exceed price tag of $121,308.

Benton Fencing submitted the lowest bid for the project – coming in more than $46,000 below the bid submitted by All Steel Fence, Inc.

All but $17,000 of the cost of construction was allocated as part of the current fiscal year budget. With the council’s blessing the amount needed to fully fund the project will be transferred from city’s Measure C fund – generated by the extra one cent that those in Lathrop pay in sales tax to fund public safety and other essential city services.

To contact reporter Jason Campbell email jcampbell@mantecabulletin.com or call 209.249.3544.