chiefd - if you are that serious about a skate park, you need to get organized and provide the city with accurate numbers of kids actually using those parks in other cities. There are approxiamtely 30,000 'kids' in Janesville and I personally doubt there is more than 1% from Janesville actually in other cities BMX/inline/skateboarding. That is not enough capacity to warrant the city to designate capitol for that type of activity. It is purely a numbers game. If you can provide enough numbers, I am sure the city can take it seriously. Football, Baseball, Soccer etc., are not fad sports, but sports that have stood the test of time.

The Sports Complex will need a lot more parking to accommodate the parents...it seems that there is one parent's vehicle there for each kid. Too bad kids cannot walk or bike to their games or practices, or parents at least carpool. Maybe this is not the right location.
I drive past the Complex and it is usually empty, except for those few hours that there is an organized activity.

I say the city needs to donate to the skate park if they are donating to other "sports". More and more people are skateboarding/BMX/In-line etc. The Beloit and Delevan parks are filled with kids from our city. I agree we should have baseball, soccer, football, etc. but for the city to turn up there nose at skateboarding is just rude. The skatepark will need zero cash for refs. and umps. This is a kick in the teeth to all of us who "Ride" whatever your "Ride" is.

I just want to comment that all these kids that will be using the sports complex will only use it when there is organized games. Now what is there for these same kids to do when there is no organized sports. Most of these kids have BMX bikes, skate boards or inline skates. This is a one on one sport that could be done at a skate park. Janesville and the people of Janesville need to get behind this program and began to give support to the skate park committee. Go to there web site at Janesvilleskatepark.org and look at all the great things that are taking place. This coming weekend is a roll-a-thon held in Palmer park to Dawson park and back. Have your kids pick up pledge cards at locations on the web site and maybe by next summer the park can be started.

Again, most of you support youth projects and understand the importance of providing not only a opportunity to compete, but understand team ideology, discipline, and exercise. This outlets keep possible wayword youth channeled towards something possitive. How many times have we heard some success story that was related to a previous coach, or sports program that made a major impact on a specific individual? I am not knocking arts or science, but as a parent, it is hard to get your kids interested in that vs. sports. You can't make them do art or science, they want to do sports.

I have seen a flyer that had the plans for the new diamonds and the parking/entrance/exits is addressed and should make it much easier.
I agree that Janesville needs a skate park too. Seems like there should be some businesses in Janesville willing to help fund/sponsor the skate park or at least help find some way to generate dollars through fundraising/advertising. Maybe the new sports complex could donate a percentage of its concession stand sales to help fund the skate park. Then everyone wins.

Beloit has an excellent skate park that is flooded with kids daily. We also have a very nice youth complex that has 4 baseball fields, 8 softball fields and a number of soccer fields. Catch on up Janesville :)

SPARK... well said !!!

Look at the big picture. It's to better the community and it's for the kids. I too think a skatepark is a good idea and I also think they deserve more help financially. At the end of the day however, there's more kids out there that are doing these types of sports that justify the complex. The numbers are just that much larger. I will say I like the old baseball park and it has some history behind it. With a little work, it could be better, but the location is getting crowded. They have some serious work to do with parking and the number of entrances at the new complex. It's bad.

Considering that the money the city is putting in is a small portion.. this complex (from word of mouth) has a lot of outside Private Donations (beside youth organizations flipping alot of the bill).. This complex will be utilized far more than 3 mos out of the year.. With the "private donations", the city's portion will only be less than a third, besides they need better facilities than they have now... Dawson is great for slow pitch (but the fences are way to far back for fast pitch) and the little league park is fine (unless you get a "stiff" west breeze).. Location wise,, Out behind LSS is a great for other teams to get to and not having to find both those other parks... With the city helping out (along with the other private donation from local programs and donations) this will be bar far, one of the better facilities around.. looking forward to see it and have my kids enjoy it

Or,like the skatepark, why not make the kids who want more baseball diamonds, raise the 2.5 million?

You people would complain about anything money is being spent on. It's unbelievable. Do you want kids to stay out of trouble and head in the right direction or not? It's for the kids!!!

You are right bigmike, the youth are our future!So where about on the complex are they going to build the skateboard park. Not all of the youth play baseball. Like in all sports, we should be fair!

stomskid-Buy a weather radio, about $15 at Walmart. You can set it to go off when the Janesville alarm goes off.

How about 1.3 million for the arts or science?
Why the big sports push? Is this really where our FOCUS needs to be? Should we not be more diversified than this?

Money well spent!! Besides having something for today's youth to do. A new complex,which by the way is badly needed, can bring tournaments to town, which in turn can generate a lot of money!!I played little league there 40 years ago I believe it is time to finally get new fields.

The Youth Sports Complex in Beloit is used from April-November....a far cry from only 3 months. In a time of economic hardship I can understand concern for the usage of money but saying it will only be used for 3 months is crazy talk.

Youth are the future. Any money invested in them now will pay back 10 fold in the future. Youth sports are vital to our community. This is money well spent.

That's fine and dandy for the youth that would use this but can't the City find something better to do with all that money.. Like maybe Fixing Roads that need it or perhaps Cleaning up some Neighborhoods that are looking pretty shabby,Schools that need remodeling, Or maybe Donate some tornado Sirens for those who live out in the Country???? Our little township of Center doesn't have one and we can't hear the city ones....I can think of Better things to do with the millions....Then throw it away on a sports Complex that is only used 3 months or so a year...