Some cash is already on the books, a state grant looks promising and a Saturday event will generate additional funds for those hoping to see a skate park built in downtown Wilkeson.

To help build the pot of money, boosters are organizing Saturday’s dinner-auction at the Wilkeson Eagles hall. A pork loin meal will be served from 4 to 6 p.m., to be followed by both silent and live auctions. The evening will be capped with a karaoke session.

Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for those younger than 10. Tickets will be sold at the door and are available in advance by contacting Trisha Summers at 253-255-2439.

Summers notes that debit and credit cards are generally not accepted at Wilkeson fundraisers, but will be taken Saturday. Volunteers from Mount Rainier Bank are making the technology available and will be helping with the event.

The idea of a skate park in the small town originated with Wilkeson youngsters, who pitched the notion to members of the Town Council. Eventually, plans took hold and efforts are now in full swing.

Approximately $2,000 is already on the books, thanks to private donations, the collection of aluminum cans and the money raised by kids who sold pop and goodies during the town’s Handcar Weekend festivities.

Organizers are also hoping to land a grant. The skate park project is high on a state agency’s priority list, but nothing will be certain until the Legislature passes a budget and allocates funds during the early part of 2013.