The expansion of the skate park at the Community Park in Langley is well under way; the facility is closed until work is complete on April 1, weather permitting.

Two South Whidbey businesses, Dirtmovers and Moll-Nevins Concrete, are busy laying the foundation for an additional 6,000 feet of concrete apron.

Safety was the primary consideration. The project is designed to allow bikes to land on a solid surface.

“When the area is wet, it gets slick and makes it unsafe for bikers and skateboarders,” said owner Pat Moll-Nevins on Saturday. “When finished, it will be safer and a lot easier to clean and maintain.”

Safety fencing has been erected around the current skate park while the contractors excavate and pour concrete for the extensions and improvements.

Work on the apron is budgeted at $20,000.

One year ago, South Enders agreed to a 20-year general obligation bond worth $1.6 million for capital improvements, an amount equaling just under 2 cents per $1,000 of assessed property evaluation.

The bond is being divided in four ways. Community park upgrades will get $525,0000; sports complex will receive $555,000; Castle Park playground, $300,000, and Trustland Trails, $220,000.

As of Feb. 18, the park district had spent $1,098,542 on park renovation projects.