Square isn't the place for area skateboarders

Since the water has been turned on at the town square, I have taken my grandchildren there several times to enjoy it. There were lots of smiles and squeals of delight. I went down there again, yesterday, and was very upset to see the damage that the skateboarders are doing to the fountain area since they were given permission to use it. Edges are chipping away, and I hate to think of what the tiles will look like in a few more days.

I am totally in favor of a skate park for the kids to use. Sandpoint is remiss in not already having a developed area for the kids to use. However, the town square is a very expensive temporary solution. I think that the fountain area cost something like $100,000. Do we really want to see it permanently damaged by being used for a purpose it was not designed for? I, for one, don't.

I encourage the City Council to rethink their decision to allow skaters to use the fountain area. I also encourage the council to immediately use (in conjunction with the skate committee's $35,000) all city dollars that have been dedicated to the development of a permanent skate park.

CARRIE LOGAN

Sandpoint