Skateboard, scooter and BMX competitions, demonstrations, open sessions; live (predominately punk) rock music, lessons, food, beverage and merchandise vendors are slated for the Lake George Skate Plaza official Grand Opening Saturday, July 23. “It’s been a long road,” says organizer Tim Goutos, “but the skate park is now here… I’m really excited that it’s finally built.” The Grand Opening, sponsored by Fat Willies Ice Cream and Skate Shop and Lake George Skate Plaza, will be held at the Lake George Skate Plaza in Charles R. Wood Park on West Brook Road, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
The park had a soft opening last fall with the completion of the concrete plaza, the result of nearly a decade of fundraising on the part of Lake George teens. Village code prohibits the use of skateboards in all the public parks and on many of the Village streets, sidewalks and walkways. For those, such as Goutos, who are passionate about the sport, these restrictions hampered their ability to develop their skills and socialize with others who had the same passion. A skate park seemed the ideal solution, but funding was an issue.
Goutos was a high school freshman when “the movement” began. Talks about how to fund the ambitious project began as early as 2006. “First and foremost,” says Goutos, “we have Mayor Blais to thank. He not only supported us, but helped by guiding us, telling us how to approach it. Without any of his support, it would have been a lot harder.” He also credits Lake George school administrators, members of the community and local businesses with helping them in their efforts to make the skate park a reality.
The serious fundraising kicked off in 2008 with a Department of Health ACT for Youth grant and seed money from the Town and Village of Lake George. Over the ensuing years, spaghetti dinners, coin-drops, hair-cut-a-thons and golf tournaments pushed the teens towards their fundraising goal. The high school kids that started the project so many years ago are now in college or off pursuing careers. Saturday’s Grand Opening is primarily to celebrate and raise funds for Stage Two of the Plaza. However, organizers have another objective.
Goutos hopes the Grand Opening will generate excitement about the Plaza among the younger kids. “We want this kick-off to get the conversation going again.” He says Lake George students regularly ask him “What’s going on with the skate park?” Goutos hopes to change the question to, “How can we help?” The park needs a new wave of skateboard enthusiasts to come up with ideas and further what has been started. Goutos has been in skate parks across the country and the world (he spent all last winter abroad.) He envisions the Lake George Skate Plaza developing to a point where it will attract big-name sponsors and serious competitions.
“Skateboarding is the fastest growing sport in the country, maybe the world,” says Goutos. Unlike team sports that require a large investment in gear, skateboarding is “… super accessible, you don’t need much gear to start.” It gets people outside and exercising, and there is a valuable social component to the sport. Goutos grew up skateboarding on Lake George streets, and discovered, when he visited skate parks in other towns, instant friendships strike up when meeting others who enjoy the sport. “I’ve made friends I never would have made through skateboarding.”
Saturday’s Grand Opening will feature local bands, many who have members connected to the world of skateboarding. Best Trick competitions will be held throughout the day. For a $10 entrance fee, BMX riders, skateboarders and scooter riders can show off their tricks and maybe win a prize. “This is not cut-throat competition,” says Goutos. “It’s a low-key local thing with prizes like t-shirts.”
The Skate Plaza rules, as of this writing, prohibit BMX and scooters. That ban was written into the rules when they were developed two years ago. The concern was that rides of different speeds sharing the same space would create a hazard. When the Skate Plaza opened last fall, half the users were riding scooters and bikes despite the posted ban. There have been no injuries as a result, and concern that, with stepped-up summer enforcement, kids with bikes and scooters would be chased off or even fined, Goutos asked the Village Board to consider amending the rules. The Board is holding a hearing Monday, July 18, to consider the proposal. Goutos says they want to welcome BMX and scooter riders to the Plaza and hope they will get involved with future development of the park.
Free lessons in skateboarding, BMX and scooter riding are being offered at the Grand Opening. Equipment will be provided. Other than the $10 for entering a competition, there is no charge to attend the Grand Opening. Donations are encouraged to help fund Stage Two of the Lake George Skate Plaza. Currently, the forecast calls for dry weather. If it does rain, the event will be pushed to Sunday, July 24.