Battle of the Bands

Musicians raise more than $10,000 for skate park

By GIOVANNI P. ROSSI, Staff writer
Saturday night’s Battle of the Bands at the Weirton Thomas E. Millsop Community Center raised more than $10,000 toward the establishment of a skate park in Weirton.

With a surprise opening act by classic rock band, Verdict, and a turnout of more than 150 children, Mayor Mark Harris stated the event was a success. According to Harris, $9,850 in sponsorship funds were raised prior to the event. With a $10 admission as well as T-shirt and food sales, the mayor believes enough money has been acquired to begin construction of the skate park.

“We have an additional $3,000 coming in from First Step Pediatrics,” he said. “That, combined with the money we’ve raised tonight and the funds coming from the motorcycle ride with the governor, should give us more than enough to get something started.”

According to Harris, construction on the park is scheduled for July.

Harris noted the park will be located in downtown Weirton, in the parking lot behind the Weirton City Building.

He stated general concerns about traffic and surveillance were brought up when he proposed to place the park at either Starvaggi Park or Marland Heights Park.

“It will be a mobile park, so we can take it to a different location if we need to,” he said. “Also, keeping it downtown right now allows it to be more easily monitored.”

The mayor thanked Ward 1 Councilman Ron Jones, Ward 3 Councilman Fred Marsh, City Attorney Vince Gurrera and several others who assisted in chaperoning the event.

He also thanked PS Marketing for its donation of 50 event shirts to be sold and invited each participating band to return for future shows.



(Rossi can be contacted at grossi@weirtondailytimes.com)