A North Augusta man used the Dec. 6 Public Power Hour prior to the regular city council meeting to suggest adding a new form of recreation to the city’s offerings.
David Brizius said the city should consider constructing a skatepark, similar to the one at Blanchard Woods Park in Evans. To help make his case, Brizius brought a woman well versed in the popularity of skateparks.
Aiken County resident Robin Mitchell owned HIC Warehouse Indoor Skatepark & Shop on Laurens Street in Aiken for 10 years.
“I can tell you that the revenue is there for you,” she explained. “You have one good contest, that gives away $1,000 grand prize or just a ton of product, and you’ll get a skateboard team. If you build it, they’re going to come from 6 or 8 hours away to a tournament or an event or a team signing and my son can get them here.”
Her son, Bo Mitchell, an actor who has appeared in Eastbound and Down on HBO and Cobra Kai on Netflix, is also a professional skateboarder.
North Augusta used to have a small skateboard park near the Hammond Hill Pool. Councilman Bob Brooks was director of the city’s Parks and Recreation Department at that time.
“We wanted to actually upgrade what was built, but council never gave us the goal,” he said. “We wanted to build concrete skatepark with the bowls and with the ramps. At that time was about half a million dollars and they wouldn’t buy it. So, we tried to get sponsors like Tony Hawk. We went to him to get some advice on the next best move for us in order to have a top quality and a different location. But we got shut down.”
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Hawk is an icon in the world of skateboarding and was National Skateboard Association world champion for more than 10 years. Hawk has started The Skatepark Project to help communities build facilities. According to the website, https://skatepark.org/
“To-date, almost 600 recipients of grants from The Skatepark Project have opened their skateparks. These parks receive more than 6-million visits annually by youth who benefit from the active lifestyle and camaraderie the facilities promote.”
Mitchell said she and her son can get Hawk’s team to visit North Augusta.
“I can get the guys from his foundation to speak with you all and tell you what they do,” she said “They will give so much money to build that park and the city would have to raise a certain amount. So that’s how that works.”
The idea garnered immediate support from Councilwoman Pat Carpenter.
“I have been a skateboard fan a long time, she said. “You know, everybody’s not a baseball, basketball, cheerleader, soccer, football person. We all have our own little things but if you’ve ever been to one, they’re great and these are talented people.”
Councilman Eric Presnell said people asked him about a skatepark when he was running for election.
“I like to say the one at Blanchard Wood is very popular,” he said. “I’ve been out there on a Saturday afternoon, and I have seen exactly what you say, 20-25 kids just out there. In-line skates, skateboards, the scooters. I think it is something we need to look into and location.”
Presnell asked if there was room at Riverview Park to build a skatepark. Mitchell said the park would not need to be large, but it must be a concrete park.
Currently, Mitchell says there is no public skatepark between Blanchard Woods Park and one in downtown Columbia, S.C.
Mayor Williams started the Public Power Hour soon after his election. It is an opportunity for citizens to speak to council about concerns or special interests. No action is taken during the hour, but Mitchell and Brizius were asked to leave their contact information in case the city has more questions.
Dana Lynn McIntyre is a Staff Reporter with The Augusta Press. You can reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com
