Nassau County will use bed tax revenues to fund a new $2 million-plus Poe Pinson Skate Park as part of its beach harmonization project, according to Fernandina Beach City Manager Sarah Campbell.
She made the stunning announcement during the city's Park and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting Tuesday where the skate park proposal was being reviewed for endorsement to forward to the city commission.
"We have an angel investor. And that angel investor is our partners in Nassau County," Campbell said. "And they have asked us to hit pause so that they can take the design to the finish line. And their vision for this is to make it a tournament style facility."
The city had previously funded $30,000 to the Friends of Fernandina Skate Park to commission a design of the park named after Olympian Poe Pinson. That design was completed with a price tag of over $2 million.
"Funding it through the tourist tax dollars that have already been collected by all the visitors that come here, so it's good news. And it's a slight pause while they complete the design and get it to where it needs to be so they can fund it completely," Campbell said. "I hope that's received as good news. I think it's excellent news for our county partners to step and say we're willing to fund things and bring to fruition. I think that's amazing, that's incredible and I hope we take advantage of that partnership."
Friends of Fernandina Skate Park were set to launch a fund-raising campaign to help pay for the skate park. Their plan was to also relay on city funds along with state grants to see the skate park completed at Main Beach.
The expanded skate park will be part of the county's beach harmonization project is which a complete redesign of three city parks -- North Beach Park, Main Beach Park and Seaside Park.
The harmonization project is intended to create a cohesive group of parks serving improved infrastructure and matching aesthetics. The Main Beach Park makeover will not begin until 2027 or 2030 at the latest, according to county officials.
At a joint meeting of the County Commission and City Commission last month, County Manager Taco Pope spoke about the availability of TDC money to use for the skate park and said bed tax funds would not be available in the "foreseeable future." But at some point, which Campbell did not disclose, the county decided to use bed tax money for the skate park.
The city has $60,000 still committed to the Friends of Fernandina Skate Park to pay for construction and engineering plans for the new skate park.
Campbell said that effort was part of the "pause" in moving forward.
"Their final design needs to include venue seating, PA system, concession stands and restrooms, underground utilities, lighting, drainage, irrigation, all of the ways that this will integrate into the rest of Main Beach Park," Campbell said.
Friends of Fernandina Skate Park Treasurer Mike Nichols said the announcement was "good news" but was concerned if the project was delayed for five years.
"We need to meet with the county and talk about specific timelines for the project. Five years is a long time for these kids to have to wait for a new facility," Nichols said. "Perhaps they can begin on the new skate park earlier and then work on the rest of the Main Beach project at a later date. That's the scenario we'd like to see."
The beach harmonization plan includes county parks with the city's Seaside Park scheduled to be completed first.
The project is funded by the Tourist Development Council (TDC) with money from the tourist development tax, also known as the “bed tax,” which is currently five cents for every dollar collected on short-term lodging on Amelia Island. The bed tax is in addition to the standard 6% state sales tax and the county’s one-cent local option sales tax and is applicable only on Amelia Island.
The Friends of Fernandina Skate Park design, which calls for a new overlay of features over the existing skate park foundation and a new addition, was done by American Ramp Company and quoted at $1,986,000 to build. Not included in the quote were components that push the final costs to well over $2 million when all is said and done. Those excluded costs include sales tax, erosion and sediment control, stabilized construction entrance, landscaping, site and turf restoration post skatepark construction, mass excavation or import and construction drawings.
Pinson attended the Parks and Recreation meeting along with other youths actively involved in skateboarding along with family, friends and other supporters.
The committee endorsed plans for the city manager and staff of the Parks and Recreation Department to work with the county on the future of the skate park and how it relates to the beach harmonization plan.
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