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Ely Wheel Park event set for May 20

The Ely Wheel Park project is moving forward. Ely students have created the design with help from a professional, and their fundraising efforts are steadily building toward “breaking ground.” The original plans for the Ely Recreation Center included a skate park to replace the previous Lincoln Park facility. Students have worked to raise money for it since 2014. The design features a “pump track,” which is the most versatile type of skate/BMX bike obstacle course. It’s a series of linked rollers and steeply bermed corners that offer fun and fitness for young and old on skateboards, scooters, inline skates, and bikes. The Ely Wheel Park has the potential to be the first poured concrete pump track in the United States.
The city has put the project out for bids, and the students are working hard to raise the money required for the build. The next fundraising event is the Ely Wheel Park Video Contest on Saturday, May 20. Via Facebook, skaters and bikers have been invited to enter video of themselves performing tricks to be entered into a contest. Winners will be judged by a panel of peers.
The action at the Rec Center (ERC) starts at 10 a.m. on the 20th. The Rec Center is located at 1034 Main Street, accessed via 11th Avenue E. or Miner’s Drive. A “how-to” video will be shown on the big screen, followed by a chance to try some tricks on portable features including a quarter pipe, rails, kicker and box. A variety of music and an on-site videographer will be available from noon to 1 p.m., so contest entries can be produced and submitted that day.
While judges are deliberating the winners of the video contest, participants will have the opportunity to spring-clean the site and use a set of tools and a pump for tune-ups. A showing of all the videos and announcement of the winners and prizes will follow. Throughout the event, logo merchandise and food will be available for sale. Donations will be accepted.

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