Skate-park revenue exceeds goals

Laura Sturza

While fewer skateboarders are riding the ramps at Valley Skate Park

this month than when it opened in January, the park has already made

twice as much as expected in its first year.

“The first weeks were very busy,” said Mike Graceffo, a recreation

specialist for the city. “Our attendance has dropped off a little

bit.”

About 30 people attend on weeknights, and more than 50 on weekend

days, Graceffo said. The first month the center opened, about 50

skaters were coming on weeknights, and 80 on weekend days.

But the decrease does not concern city staff, who expected the

early weeks to be busy. The park was projected to make $6,000 for the

year, but has brought in $13,000 in its first few months, Recreation

Services Manager Patrick Thomas said.

Most of the revenue has come from sales of annual passes, which

were not in the plans when staff made its original revenue

projection. In addition, the park can be rented for parties, which

has boosted income, Thomas said.

Resident Joel Rude bought his son Brandon, 13, an annual pass.

“Now that I can skate somewhere other than the sidewalk, I [don’t]

get hurt so much,” Brandon said. “The sidewalks are so bumpy that I

fall more on the sidewalk than in the skate park.”

The teen is sometimes joined by his 40-year-old father, who bought

a skateboard when the park opened Jan. 11.

“I went through the whole skateboard thing [when I was younger],

but they didn’t have a park [then],” Rude said.

City staff will continue to track skaters’ use of the park to

decide what programs to offer, and how to continue to attract

attention to the facility.

Renato Patiag, 30, a Burbank resident and nurse at Providence St.

Joseph Medical Center, has been to numerous skate parks. He said that

Burbank “has a nice flow from one end to the other,” but he would

like the park to be open during hours suited to an adult’s schedule.

All skaters must be registered, have a waiver signed by a parent,

and wear elbow and knee pads and a helmet.

Annual passes cost $40 to $50. Daily rates are $3 to $5, and

weekly passes are $8 to $10. The park is open from 3:30 to 7 p.m.

Tuesday through Thursday, 3:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, and 10 a.m. to 5

p.m. weekends at 1625 N. Valley St. For more information, call

238-5390.