Skatepark brings in customers, just not dollars

The building is too big, too fancy and too expensive. The reasons why Skatebarn West might be forced to close its doors are easy to find. The solutions are much more difficult to come by.

Despite bringing in an average of 800 customers each week, Jill Hansen and Peter Goldman have been fighting a losing battle while trying to hold on to Skatebarn, an indoor skatepark in south Renton. Hansen and Goldman are the final two of what was originally five partners in the project and for the past two years, they’ve been shouldering the entire financial burden to keep the skatepark open.

“We decided early on that we were going to supplement the business,” Hansen said. “We felt strongly enough about the mission and we’ve been funding it the whole time. But both of us realize that we can’t do it forever.”

Hansen said Skatebarn’s lease is more than $22,000 per month and that the facility might break even each month if it didn’t pay rent. The skatepark is in a warehouse near IKEA at 2900 Lind Ave. S.W.

“We just can’t pay the bills,” Hansen said. “We’ve never made a profit. It’s too big of a building. We’ve really grown, but we still can’t make it.”

Hansen said the investment group based the figures for Skatebarn on an indoor skatepark in Texas and decided a similar park could succeed in Renton. However, there is one big difference between the two parks. The park in Texas was air-conditioned and brought in even larger numbers in the summer as skaters came inside to get away from the heat. In Washington’s milder climate, Skatebarn struggles in the summers because skaters enjoy the climate outdoors.

Once Hansen and Goldman decided to put the word out about Skatebarn’s troubling financial situation and invite the community to help, Hansen became more optimistic after seeing how many people rallied behind the skate park. Currently, Hansen and Goldman are exploring every option, including looking for corporate sponsors, contacting surrounding cities and even moving to a smaller building.

Skatebarn’s best chance might be with the King County parks department.

Hansen said the county has expressed some interest in partnering with Skatebarn. King County wants to bring Seattle-area skateboarding up-to-date and it makes sense to work with a skatepark that is already established, according to Hansen.

“The place is already there and it already works,” Hansen said. “It would be much cheaper to work with us than it would be to make an entirely new skate park.”

The 45,000-square-foot indoor skate park features a half-pipe, a street course plus various ramps and rails. The park is open to boards, blades and bikes. Hansen said groups such as Vans – a skateboarding, surfing and biking clothing and shoes manufacturer – have been to Skatebarn and praised it as one of the best they’ve seen.

While Hansen and Goldman have yet to meet with King County, Hansen remains “guardedly optimistic” about Skatebarn’s chances. Hansen said the lease needs to be renewed in a couple months, so the clock is ticking to find solutions.

“We just don’t want to close the door on all those kids,” Hansen said. “They depend on this place to keep them out of trouble; it’s pretty much a haven for them. Once you create a place like this, it’s really hard to say goodbye.”

To help or to learn more about Skatebarn West, visit www.skatebarn2.com or contact Jill Hansen at jill@skatebarn.com.

Adam McFadden can be contacted at amcfadden@reporternewspapers.com or 425-255-3484.