Fenton Skate and Snowboard Park Plans Progress

A local couple is inching closer to making their dream a reality.

Fenton's planning commission approved a special land use proposal to put an indoor skate and snowboard park in the city's industrial park, the Fenton Press reported Thursday night.

Shaun and Tera Hamilton have told that the project is sure to make every skateboarder, snowboarder and gaming enthusiast in the city and surrounding communities very happy.

They want to create a facility for kids and the young at heart called "Misfit Lab," named partly for some of the negative stigma the Hamiltons said some skaters recieve.

The family has declined to talk of specifics for financing, but said they have been "living and breathing" the project and are determined to work as hard as they can to bring the facility to Fenway Drive in Fenton.

The facility would include an indoor and outdoor skateboard park, featuring traditional skateboarding equipment such as rails and half pipes placed in an area that resembles a city street. The concept also calls for an indoor snowboarding arena.

"Skateboarding is one of the fastest growing sports in America," Shaun told Fenton Patch. "There is a lot of talent in the state of Michigan and we want to be a part of pushing out the pros from right here in Fenton."

Seasoned skateboarders in the area have said there is a market for a skatepark in area.

"I believe they have some very unique ideas that would drive a lot of people into Fenton from all around the mitten," said Justin Mierzejewski, 22, a 2006 graduate of Fenton High School, Mierzejewski, who now lives in Ann Arbor.

Tyler Hancock, 20, a 2008 Fenton High School graduate, calls it an "amazing" idea.

"Fenton does not have a decent skate park and we don't have one that's close enough to drive to, especially for young people like my brother," he said.

Aware of local ordinances that prohibit skating on most city streets, the Hamilitons said they want to create Misfit Lab to provide a safe, enjoyable place for kids to practice their sport of choice comfortably.

"Team sports is not for everyone," said Tera of school-related athletics. "Skateboarding and snowboarding give everyone a chance for individual accomplishment."

The Fenton Press article stated the Hamiltons hope to sign and lease and finalize blueprints in October.

“There are a killer amount of kids who want to see this,” .