A 9,000 loan tied to the St. Paul BMX and Skatepark remains unresolved years after it was issued, with Town council now considering how to deal with the outstanding balance.

The loan was originally approved in 2019 as a $145,000 interest-free advance to the St. Paul BMX and Skate Park Initiative, later known as the St. Paul Skateboard Park Society. The funding was needed to meet matching requirements for a $360,000 provincial Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP) grant awarded directly to the society.

Construction of the skatepark began in summer 2019 and was completed in 2020.

While a portion of the loan has been repaid, approximately $129,000 remains outstanding and is still listed on the Town’s financial statements as money owed.

Because the provincial grant was issued to the society — not the Town — ownership of the skatepark had to remain with the society for a set period of time. That requirement limited the Town’s ability to step in earlier to resolve the loan or assume ownership of the asset.

As a result, the Town has continued to carry the remaining balance as a receivable.

During the March 26 special council meeting, where the Town’s 2025 audited financial statements were presented, auditor Barb McCarthy of JMD Group LLP said writing off the loan may ultimately be necessary, depending on how long it has been outstanding and the current status of the society.

Town CAO Steven Jeffery told council the society is still active and may soon come forward to speak directly with council.

“I do know the president of the Skateboard Park Society would like to sit in the delegation chair and speak with council, so that it’s full transparency on the project and the asset itself,” Jeffery said.

No formal delegation has been scheduled yet.

Council is expected to revisit the issue in 2026 as part of broader financial and asset management discussions.