November 28, 2011

CFDC of North & Central Hastings and South Algonquin, Bancroft

The village of Madoc may be small, but it is home to an award-winning world-class skate park.  A committee of dedicated individuals chaired by retired teacher Carman Donato saw the need for the skate park and led fundraising, coordinating the municipality, service clubs and, most importantly, the youth of the community.

Manager of the North & Central Hastings and South Algonquin CFDC, Bob Cloes, says that the Centre Hastings Skatepark was sorely needed in the community.  “The youth had been using their blades, boards and bikes in front of public buildings, on the roads, and on the sidewalks, resulting in a great deal of tension between the adults, the business community, and the youth,” he explains. 

At the same time as the skate park was attracting visitors to Madoc, the CFDC was involved with a Main Street Revitalization Initiative in four towns:  Madoc; Marmora; Stirling; and Tweed.  Branded as “Comfort Country”, the communities invited tourists and shoppers to “Explore the Four”. 

Photo:  Madoc’s world-class skate park attracts visitors from across North America