1. Skate & Hockey Complex Riverwalk Recreational Center
Carlsbad City Council Presentation

2. Agenda Skate & Hockey Complex City Council Presentation
Introduction & Preamble Don Purvis
Presentation by Skateboarders & Inline Hockey Youth
Benefits of Proposed Facility Gary Young
Proposal & Cost Estimates Gary Young
Key Issues Don Purvis
Conclusion of Request Kent Aveson

3. 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 6-18
1 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.

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

5. 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
Need city support-requesting grant support

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

7. 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

8. 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 .

9. Popularity in Surrounding Communities
Skatepark programs in: -Alamogordo per day-Washington Prk & high school -Las Cruces Under construction -Roswell /per day; 100+ users
-Tularosa per day -Hobbs (new) /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 Cruces players -El Paso 400 players -Midland 270 players - Lubbock, Amarillo, Albuquerque
Anticipate 125 to 150 players in the community

10. 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

11. 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

12. Skate & Hockey Complex Riverwalk Recreational Center
We respectfully request that the City Council approve the concept & location of the Skate & Hockey Complex at the Riverwalk Recreational Center so that funding may be pursued in the 2001 legislative session.

13. History of Skateboarding & Inline Skating
Skateboarding started in mid-60s from surf culture
Types of skateboarding: vert, street skating, stand-up downhill racing, luge
Inline skating started in 1980 – one of fastest growing sports
Types of inline skating: recreational, vert, aggressive, hockey, & speed

14. Skatepark Program
Local youth-use sidewalks since 70s; active skateboarders
Anticipate 125 to 150 players if new facility is constructed
Skatepark programs in: -Alamogordo skaters/day-Washington Park & high school -Las Cruces Under construction -Roswell /skaters; 100+ users
-Tularosa skaters/day -Hobbs /day good; 15-20/day bad weather -Albuquerque * /day summer; 200/day winter
*Albuquerque - skatepark most widely used facility-Exposure to liability is less than feared – only 2 claims in 11 months
Skaters drawn to park-easier to enforce ordinances
Economic development draw for traveling families

15. Proposed Skatepark Facility
Skaters would pay $40 per year membership fee to Recreation Center to cover maintenance costs
Skaters may be able to provide their individual insurance at an additional $40 per year
Facility will be a draw for non-resident skaters traveling to the Carlsbad area

16. 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 Inline Hockey
USA Hockey Inline provides insurance and rules governing play
Incidental contact only, like soccer, and games have officiating to enforce rules
Hockey programs in: -Alamogordo 90 players -Las Cruces 140 players -El Paso 225 players -Midland 270 players - Lubbock, Amarillo, Albuquerque
Anticipate 125 to 150 players if new facility is constructed

17. Proposed Inline Hockey Facility
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

18. Inline Hockey Facility

19. Popularity of Skating Sports
Skateboarding
Local youth-use sidewalks since 70s; active skateboarders
Anticipate 125 to 150
-Alamogordo Las Cruces New -Roswell Tularosa
-Hobbs Albuquerque
Inline Hockey
Youth hockey- 6 yrs-w/ no major injuries; 70 players & a member of USA Inline Hockey
USA Inline insurance for players
Anticipate 125 to 150 players
-Alamogordo Las Cruces El Paso Midland Lubbock, Amarillo, Albuquerque

20. Liability Considerations
Skating is less dangerous than perceived
Soccer – 3 times as likely to be injured
Basketball - 5 times as likely
Baseball - 3 times as likely
Half of all injuries-irregular skate surface
Issues-signage, supervision, design, skatepath location, maintenance