Panama City Beach increases skate park budget from $400,000 to $1.4 million

Nathan Cobb, Panama City News Herald
·2 min read

PANAMA CITY BEACH − Local officials agree more money likely is needed to fund the construction of a skate park.

Members of the Panama City Beach City Council last week voted to increase the city's budget for a skate park from $400,000 to about $1.4 million.

Plans call for the amenity to be built on more than 22,000 square feet in Frank Brown Park, near the park's entrance off Panama City Beach Parkway (Back Beach Road).

The decision came after four companies reached out to the city and said they do not believe $400,000 will cut it.

To help the city get more construction bids, the Panama City Beach City Council last week voted to increase the city's budget for a skate park at Frank Brown Park from $400,000 to $1.4 million.
To help the city get more construction bids, the Panama City Beach City Council last week voted to increase the city's budget for a skate park at Frank Brown Park from $400,000 to $1.4 million.

"We've been working on the skate park for about three years at Frank Brown Park," City Manager Drew Whitman said during the meeting. "They're indicating that's not enough for the (type of) skate park we're looking at.

"There's no obligation the city would have to spend that money right now. ... We'll bring it back to (council members), and if (they) find something (they) like, we'll proceed. If it's too much, we can move on without the skate park."

He noted the city's goal is not to develop a competition-level park for advanced skaters − similar to the skate park at Publix Sports Park − but to create something smaller that new and learning skaters can enjoy.

"We're looking at something that is a beginner level or medium size level for the kids to get out there with their parents," Whitman said.

According to City Attorney Cole Davis, increasing the park's budget will help the city get as many bids back as possible, allowing officials to select a design that meshes best with the city and its future.

"This is just the beginning of this process, but right now, we want to make sure that we give you as many options as we can to select from," Davis said. "Our concern (was) that the budget may be so low that bidders don't respond."

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For Mayor Mark Sheldon, it was an easy decision to increase the skate park's budget. He believes the park not only will be a great amenity for residents and visitors, but that it will help boost future growth in PCB.

"I've been pushing for a skate park forever," Sheldon said. "We're blessed with a lot of new development, and (the park) will help bolster it in the future. ... It's important that we put the growth that the city's seen back into the residents and back into activities.

"This is a perfect example of a good use of funds."

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Panama City Beach agrees to spend up to $1.4 million on skate park