Skate & Hockey Complex Riverwalk Recreational Center Eddy County Commissioners Presentation

Agenda Skate & Hockey Complex County Commissioners Presentation History of Skateboarding and In-line Hockey Benefits of Proposed Facility Proposal & Cost Estimates Key Issues

This is not a fad! 10 million U.S. skaters; 4 million aggressive skaters; 1 million freestyle bikers 6th largest sport; 3rd most popular among ages in 10 teenagers owns a skateboard. Over 200 skateboard manufacturers with 1998 estimated retail sales in excess of $700 million. Combined U.S. trade of skateboarding and inline skating industries of $2 billion.

Inline Hockey Program Youth hockey has operated for 6 years in Carlsbad-w/ no major injuries Carlsbad Hockey Association (CHA) has 70 players and is a member of USA Hockey Inline USA Hockey Inline provides insurance and rules governing play Incidental contact only, like soccer, and games have officiating to enforce rules Hockey programs in surrounding cities: - Alamogordo - Las Cruces- Albuquerque - El Paso - Midland- Lubbock Anticipate 125 to 150 players if new facility is constructed

Proposed Inline Hockey Facility 75’ by 150’ concrete playing surface with fiber reinforced plastic dasher boards CHA players would pay $30 per year membership fee to Recreation Center to cover maintenance CHA would continue to provide its own player insurance Facility also to be used for inline skating programs

Inline Hockey Facility

Benefits of Skate & Hockey Complex 1.Enhances existing youth programs at Riverwalk Recreation Center 2.Healthy sports-keeps the participants active & involved. 3.For parents-a safe, supervised facility 4.For adolescents-a safe place to socialize with their friends 5.Focal point for other teen activities 6.Local businesses-reduce worry about skaters on their sidewalks. 7.Skateparks draw families traveling with teenagers & young adults to our area 8.Inline hockey brings out-of-town teams overnight for tournaments 9.Implements #3 goal-Community Vision 2000 “Build a Skatepark”

Capital & Maintenance Requirements Capital costs - $266,000 Asking for support from state legislature/private foundations Revenue neutral for city coffers Income will offset maintenance & operating expenses

Issues Identified Liability & Insurance Considerations Popularity in Surrounding Communities Land use - Riverwalk Recreational Center Access & Supervision

Liability & Insurance Reviewed skatepark design with insurance industry Safety Engineer (St. Paul Insurance) Desirable for Architect to design facility Current design minimizes risk of injury Safety Engineer confirmed lower injury risk than baseball, soccer and football Safety Engineer will provide risk assessment report when needed

Liability & Insurance Considerations Enough cash flow to pay for insurance Three Insurance Options for Skatepark: –Incremental coverage with present City carrier –Stand alone policy-approx $10,000/year –Like hockey, skaters become members of an association --Skate Park Assoc. of USA Private skatepark membership or supervised City Park- $40.00 per year - $1 million liability from SPAUSA for members while in the skate park.

Popularity in Surrounding Communities Skatepark programs in: -Alamogordo 50-60/day - Washington Park & high school -Las Cruces Under construction -Roswell 35-40/day; 100+ users -Tularosa 15-20/day -Hobbs (new) 30-40/day good; 15-20/day bad weather -Albuquerque /day summer; 200/day winter Anticipate 100 to 150 skaters in the community Hockey programs in: -Alamogordo 90 players -Las Cruces140 players -El Paso400 players -Midland270 players -Lubbock, Amarillo, Albuquerque Anticipate 125 to 150 players in the community

Land Use-Riverwalk Recreational Center Conflict with possible future Science Center facility Two alternatives possible: - design complex to be integral part of Science Center - relocate complex when Science Center constructed Cost to relocate facility (est. $120K) is small in comparison to overall cost of Science Center ($20 million) Concrete pad is only permanent structure Surface equipment can be relocated

Access & Supervision Complex designed to restrict access - entry through Recreational Center building only –Allows supervision during regularly scheduled hours of the center –Eliminates many problems encountered by unsupervised facilities –Increases participation at Riverwalk Recreational Center

Skate & Hockey Complex Riverwalk Recreational Center We respectfully request that the County Commission issue a resolution to approve the concept of the Skate & Hockey Complex at the Riverwalk Recreational Center so that funding may be pursued in the 2001 legislative session.