Missouri City skateboarders are closer to having a park to show off their skills. City Council voted Oct. 15 to approve Oregon-based Evergreen Skateparks as the subcontractor to build a new skatepark to be located at Community Park. Evergreen submitted the lowest bid of $205,020, topping one other subcontractor bid. The skatepark is expected to be completed in about 150 days, according to Jason Mangum, director of the city’s parks and recreation department, at the Oct. 15 city council meeting. Community Impact Newspaper reported on the skatepark project when the idea was originally proposed by council in 2016, and funds were set aside for the project as part of the 2016-17 Capital Improvement Program. “This will provide a diversity of offerings for our youth,” City Manager Anthony Snipes said. “All of our youth will have an opportunity to skate, participate and be active instead of sitting on couches playing video games.” The Parks and Recreation Department started designing the skatepark since funds were approved two years ago, Mangum said, working with subcontractor SPA Skateparks and design team Newline Skateparks Inc. out of Austin. During discussion, Mangum and council members noted that the project resulted in some $50,000 in cost savings. The city also received private money for the skatepark through a grant from Niagara Bottling, Mangum said. The skatepark will be located between the softball field and the golf course at Community Park, which includes existing infrastructure such as parking and restrooms. In addition, there will be skate lessons and other related programs offered.