“How to donateThe Rotary Club is leading the effort to build a skateboard park for South Whidbey youngsters. Anyone interested in supporting the project financially is asked to call Jack Hoover at 341-2352.All that stands between South Whidbey youth and their first skateboard park is an estimated $85,000 in construction costs.That’s a formidable amount, but with fund raising sponsored by the South Whidbey Rotary Club, there’s a lot of confidence the goal can be achieved.I have no doubt, said South Whidbey Parks Director Jerry Cole. Rotary has raised large amounts of money for other community projects, most notably the Outdoor Classroom on Maxwelton Creek.Jack Hoover is chairman of Rotary’s fund-raising effort. He said the $85,000 figure is based on the assumption that an anticipated state grant of $50,000 survives this session of the state legislature. Cole said Tuesday that the grant’s chances look good but nobody can predict what the final state budget will include.Regardless, Rotary is committed to the project. The club paid for the design phase which took a big step forward May 30 with the final community meeting with the architect. Cole said several skateboard enthusiasts attended and made suggestions.Cole said the architectural firm of Purkiss Rose of Fullerton, Calif., will soon begin final drawings for the project. After approval by the Parks board, the go-ahead will be given for construction drawings. Parks donated the site for the skateboard park. Cole is hoping site preparation can begin this fall.Hoover said Rotary has a committee working on acquiring the needed funds. Although charitable giving is harder to come by now than it was a year ago, he expressed confidence that the South Whidbey community will rally to the cause.Cole expressed confidence that South Whidbey youth will soon have a skateboard park. If the community pulls together we will, he said. All we need is the money. “