The coming of spring has meant more than the end of winter’s doldrums — it also apparently is breathing new life into efforts to develop a skateboarding facility in Mount Airy.

“It’s getting warmer and the skaters are back out — I think we’ve gotten re-energized,” said Kathy Bentley, coordinator of Skate Mount Airy Inc., a non-profit group raising funds for the $100,000 project.

But apart from the symbolic presence of spring are several recent, tangible developments surrounding the drive, Bentley added Tuesday. These are giving an extra boost to a campaign that so far has generated about half the money needed for a planned skate plaza at Riverside Park thanks to a series of fund-raising activities conducted in the past year.

The coordinator said that an April 9 meeting at Reeves Community Center between skateboarders, parents and members of the Mount Airy Police Department is one thing that has jumpstarted the project.

Though that meeting was conducted to allow police to achieve more cooperation in managing skateboarding lawfully in the city in the absence of a designated location for the sport, Bentley said it also generated new interest in the planned skate plaza.

“We are gaining a whole new group of people that we’ve met in the last few weeks,” she said in reference to attendance at the meeting. “We’re going to have them jump on board with us.”

As part of a push to take advantage of the recent enthusiasm, another community meeting is planned Monday at 6:30 p.m. at the Canvas Skate Shop at 162 W. Pine St. The shop is located beneath the Gallery Group Art Studios, across from Moody Funeral Services.

“That’s going to be our venue to have a lot of meetings,” Bentley said.

Discussions related to the skate park’s development and an open forum for fund-raising ideas will be part of next week’s meeting.

“We’re planning a huge fund-raiser in June,” said Bentley, which will be held in conjunction with “National Skate Day.” The location of that event has not been determined, which is one of the items to be discussed at the upcoming meeting, the coordinator reported.

A car show also is being considered as another fund-raiser.

Also Tuesday, Bentley rejected a notion recently offered by a member of the Mount Airy Board of Commissioners when it extended a deadline for the skate plaza to be developed on the city-owned property. While he supported the extension, Commissioner Todd Harris questioned whether the skate group remains viable.

“I think we still are,” Bentley said.

A core group of about 15 people have maintained their presence with Skate Mount Airy Inc. and some 40 others recently have indicated an interest in becoming part of the group for the first time.

“I believe we’re still strong,” added the coordinator, who acknowledged that when the bad economy hit last fall, it did derail the effort somewhat.

But Bentley believes it ultimately will succeed as long as local residents stay focused on the fact that the project is aimed at doing something for the kids in terms of providing them a safe place to ply their sport. Skateboarders reportedly have caused damages at various public and private properties elsewhere around town.

If all affected families support the fund-raising campaign, the coordinator thinks it will result in a relatively small burden when spread among everyone.

“Just spend a few dollars,” she said.