Parties Discuss Indoor Skateboard Park


The possibililty of a non-profit indoor skateboard park to locate in Speedway is only in the discussion phase. Andy Rauworth, the current owner of Ultra Violet, is closing the doors to his 24,000 square foot indoor facility located at 5545 S. Meridian Street by March 1. The closing is a necessary step to stop three-years of financial loss to his for-profit business. He noted that two other indoor skateboard parks closed about six months after Ultra Violet opened. Although the Ultra Violet captured those additional customers, it was not enough to hurdle the financial stuggles.
The goal is to return as a non-profit entity that uses skateboarding to help kids with physical fitness, DARE (Drug Awareness Resistance and Education) drug awareness, teen pregnancy, and education.
Rauworth became interested in the town of Speedway after reading about the revitalization efforts. This prompted him to contact the redevelopment commission. No particular site has been selected. He also noted he has been in discussion with the Mayor of Beech Grove to develop the same type of format.
He believes the success of this proposed project will be the combination of a private public partnership that allows the youth to become stakeholders in the facility. Rauworth is making outreach connections to involve kids in the design, build and actual operations of their own skateboard park.
The vision is about appealing to the kids; therefore, conceptual ideas are in the works to construct a wooden bowl. Skateboarders love to use centrifugal force generated from the slopes because it sustains the duration of the ride.
“It is not that easy to construct the jump ramps. Not every handy Andy could build one correctly,” he said. The construction of the transition, or often referred to as the arc, is critical. Not all of the construction would start at the bare bones level. Many of the wood ramps and materials would come from the current facility as a donation.
The supervised indoor skateboard park will provide the safety needed for the skateboarders, including the mandatory wearing of helmet and protective gear. BMX bikers are prohibited because of potential collisions with skateboarders. The bike’s mass is greater that could lead to a serious injury if the two collided.
Rauworth explained that despite most public opinion, skateboarding is safer than other sports. Rauworth reported only seven skateboarders have been injured out of 22,000 visitors that came to Ultra Violet in the last three years.
Rauworth continues to promote skateboarding by teaching its positive aspects. Howe High School has adopted his skateboarding program. The physical education teacher is giving beginning students instructions how to skateboard on the gym floor. He noted the flat gym floor is not as intimidating to learn compared coming to the Ultra Violet for a first time experience. The idea is to build an enthusiasm for the sport so the student would have some exercise activity. Rauworth is using skateboarding as a crusade to fight against child obesity. The average energy expenditure is about 300 calories per hour. However, the exercise duration will start lasting longer as the interest grows. It is not unusual for skateboarders to practice several hours a day. It is the longer daily practice that develops a strong cardiovascular system.
He also has been able to involve an Indianapolis Public School (IPS) teacher to offer Math and English tutoring to skateboarding students. This is part of his efforts to assist with lowering the drop out rate.
Rauworth was randomly contacting people in an effort to promote his program trying when he decided to contact IPS. It was merely a coincidence that Rauworth’s idea would be embraced because the teacher had just returned from a convention discussing the benefits of skateboarding. “The timing could not have been better,” he said.
Rauworth said the Indianapolis Motor Speedway has also taken an interest. Rauworth said Ultra Violet was invited to the February 11 go-cart race to promote skateboarding. He noted now there are discussions of creating the wooden bowl to replicate the IMS track.