By John Huxman
Freelance Reporter
Special to the Tribune

The Pratt City Commission heard a proposal from local teen Luke Nystrom at their April 7 regular meeting to add a half-pipe to the skate park on main street.

“I am here on behalf of the teenage skateboarders of Pratt, Kansas, and we are in dire need of something to do in Pratt to keep us healthy, outside, and having a good time,” Nystrom said. “The smaller children have extensive playground equipment in our many parks. Even the adults have outside exercise equipment. We have an ample but beginner skateboard park. Those of us who enjoy skating really are grateful for what we have and we enjoy everything, but we have mastered all of the obstacles.”

Nystrom went on to explain that several people he knows would take up skating or skate more often if there were more advanced features at the skate park. He said that when he competes with other skateboarders in Wichita, he does most poorly in events related to the half-pipe, since he cannot practice on one regularly. Pratt only has a quarter pipe, but not a half-pipe.

“You can do cool tricks [in a half-pipe],” he said.

Nystrom told commisisoners that he has already found a plan for a durable wooden half-pipe and secured funding for the project but needs city approval to move forward. Commissioners commented that the city maintenance department would need to be involved in the construction work.

Nystrom said the feature will cover a 16 by 36 foot area but he did not think that any new concrete would need to be poured.

Insurance liability was a concern for city commissioners and they indicated they would need to check with their insurance to see how much this would raise premiums. The half-pipe, if built, would be the most challenging feature of the skate park and therefore the most likely to result in injury, so liability insurance will rise, it is just a question of how much. Currently, the skate park costs $1,200 in insurance annually.

City Attorney Cody Smith said that, as long as the half-pipe is built correctly to industry standards, it should be difficult for the city to be successfully sued in the event of an injury and, therefore, the premiums should not go up too much. The city asked Nystrom for documentation on the proposed half-pipe so that they could send it to their insurance and get an accurate number.

“I appreciate you trying to find something for our community to help out the younger generation to have something exciting. I think that on our end we just need to do a little more research. We’re no saying ‘No’ or anything like that. We just need to make sure how our insurance is going to be,” said Mayor Farmer.

In other business, the commission:

*Heard an update from Roger Stotts of the Kansas Water Users Association about a project to pay farmers around the St. John area to do less irrigation. This project is necessary because Quivira Wildlife Refuge has seniority in its water rights and, if it cannot get enough water due to the water being taken for irrigation, then the government could restrict water access to everyone on the aquifer. By paying the farmers who make most of the impact on the Refuge to do only dry-land farming for the next five years until Quivira can dig some additional wells, it saves farmers and other water users across a much larger area from suffering a far greater amount of economic damage. This initiative has been largely funded by farmers in that larger area voluntarily paying $1,000 per irrigation pivot into the program, but Stott wanted Pratt to consider contributing as well, since water restrictions would impact the city, too. The program is presently $3 million away from being fully funded. The city thanked Stott for the information but did not make any commitments during the meeting.

*Heard a proposal from the Pilot Club that the City make a proclamation for the 20th anniversary of the train at Sixth Street Park. The city agreed to do so. The proclamation itself will be made by the mayor on May 5th meeting in anticipation of the May 10th anniversary of the train.

*Approved Keith Sexton and reappoved Mark McManaman for the Pratt Airport Authority Board.

*Approved an agreement with Tyr Energy to continue the relationship with them for the power plant.

*Approved ordinance 2502 establishing snow routs. The ordinance reads “The following streets are established as emergency snow routes within the city limits: U.S. 54 Highway, 281 Highway, Country Club Road, East Sixth Street (Main to Fincham), Fincham Street (Sixth to First), East Third Street (Main to Parklane), Parklane (Third to Sixth), Rochester (First to Sixth), Tenth Street (Main to Ridgeway), Ridgeway Ave. (Tenth to Fifth), West Fifth Street (Main to West City limits), Rancho Road (Fifth to First), Illinois St. (First to Southwest School entrance), South New Street (First to Eighth), Eighth Street (New to Illinois), Illinois Street (Eighth to Ridgeway), Iowa Street (Eighth to Fifth), Cleveland Street (Main to Mound), Mound Street (First to Logan, Logan Street (Mound to Simpson), Simpson Street (Logan to Main), Garfield Street (Mound to Starr), Starr Street (Garfield to Old First Street), South Taylor Street (First to Fifth), School Street (Main to Terrace Dr.), Parkview Dr. (Terrace to Parkway Ave.), Parkway Ave. (Parkview Dr. to Maple), Parke Street (First to Third), North Oak Street (First to School), Stout Street (First to Cemetery Entrance), Maple Street (Main to Hwy. 61), Howard Street (E. 6th to School Street), Glenarm Street (Maple to Holly), Holly Street (Stout to Glenarm), Larimer Street (Holly to Walnut), Walnut Street (Larimer to Stout).”