(Feb. 28) - Representatives from the City of Sikeston met with representatives from the skateboarding community Tuesday night to improve the skatepark located in the Sikeston Complex.

Sikeston Public Works Director Jay Lancaster told those in attendance he wanted to get all the groups together to get them on the same page where everyone could move forward with ideas. Different groups have made known they wanted different things and Lancaster said that makes it hard for the city to move forward on something.

“It is really hard for us to move forward with a public project when the public doesn’t agree,” Lancaster said. “A lot of times in that situation, we may decide not to do anything.”

One topic of conversation was for the group was to be patient. Lancaster said there are protocols the city must follow in many situations, and it doesn’t always lead to getting things done quickly.

“We want to get stuff done, but the timelines we have to deal with may not be what you want,” Lancaster said.

Some posts made to social media had indicated that the city wasn’t returning emails. Abbi Lindsey, recreation coordinator with Sikeston Parks and Recreation said that was not true.

“The way we have been portrayed recently is not accurate,” Lindsey said. “I have responded to every email that I have gotten.”

She added that she takes the emails and must pass them up the chain and there may not always be something to report back on immediately. However, Lindsey did reiterate that she has and will respond to all emails.

Lancaster also touched on things such as long-term maintenance, insurance, safety, and fundraising. He told the groups when fundraising to make sure the project has been given a green light and that they are not fundraising as Sikeston Parks and Recreation.

Representatives from the skateboarding community gave ideas to improve the skatepark, including replacing a few missing bolts, cleaning up the graffiti, improving the lighting, adding shade including planting trees, adding benches and replacing a rules sign that has gone missing.

Bigger projects such as expanding the skate park and adding things like rails were also discussed. Lancaster laid out how to propose a bigger project like that to the city, complete with a plan and possibly pictures of what is wanted.

Lancaster encouraged the groups to come together and reform a skatepark committee that was once in existence. Once the group is one voice, he told them to work on a list of needs, prioritize them and send them to the city.

“Our goal is to figure out how to make Sikeston a better place,” Lancaster said. “In all areas.”