Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament has opened a skate park in his hometown of Big Sandy, Montana, according to The Great Falls Tribune. The rocker donated $40,000 to fund the park’s construction and was at the site for its unveiling last week.
Ament has been a skater since 1976. He said he plans on donating boards, helmets and pads to local children who can’t afford to buy their own.
“As small towns get smaller and smaller, I think it becomes more important for kids to have something to do outside of just school sports,” he said. “My dad helped me build ramps, now I can give kids around here something else to do.”
Reportedly, Ament and his professional skateboarding pals will host a big event at the park next spring.
Pearl Jam will celebrate their 20th birthday at Neil Young's annual charity show for his school for children with severe physical disabilities. Guitarist Stone Gossard has announced he and the band will ring in the 20th anniversary of their first show by headlining the concert in Mountain View, California in October.
He says the show will be "really special," telling Billboard.com, "That's our 20th anniversary, which is fitting. It's perfect - not too blown up. It's not about us, it's about all those kids that are onstage with you and about Neil Young and his commitment, his influence."
The show will be Pearl Jam's eighth appearance at the Bridge School Benefit.
Pearl Jam played their first concert in Seattle, Washington, as Mookie Blaylock, on October 22, 1990.
