Colosseum Skate Park closes doors-for now

Wednesday, July 04, 2007

By Ben Cannon

A nonprofit recreation center that has for the last three and a half years provided Jackson Hole’s wheeled jibbers their only public indoor skateboarding and freestyle biking opportunities is shutting its doors.

Colosseum Skate Park, located south of town near the Enclosure rock gym, will soon begin pulling out the mass of ramps and equipment in order to be fully moved out of the industrial building by the end of this month. The previous landlord sold the building and the new one, reportedly, does not want the liability of a skate park.

“This place was meant to be a stepping stone anyway,” said Pete Marsiglio during a “memorial party” at Colosseum last weekend. “We’re looking to do something really big.”

By “big,” Marsiglio, who acts as a volunteer director and took out loans to open the Colosseum, means he hopes to help find the funding to erect an entirely new space from the ground up, one that would offer not only a half-pipe or street-style course for skaters and bikers, but also amenities like an indoor ski training center and pool, as well as a hostel and dorm facilities. 

“It would be a total community youth facility,” the director said.
Marsiglio seems to be motivated by a desire to provide a safe, healthy environment for young people. 

“For the most part I’m adamant about it being a place for families,” Marsiglio said, his 3-year-old son, Max, only feet away.

The Colosseum managed to keep its doors open through volunteer labor and donations. Those who cared about and used the place most were often the ones who built and repaired the park, taking turns working evenings to keep a person on duty.

“I would say it’s one of the few accessible places in Jackson kids can go for free,” offered Tony Birkholz. The 22-year-old biker said he would sometimes donate up to 10 percent of his paycheck to the Colosseum and pitched in on projects needed inside.
“It’s pretty sick here,” he added a little ruefully.

On Saturday, as high school garage rockers Optically Delicious warmed up inside the Colosseum, a crowd gathered to watch the band perform and to urge on their cohorts. Darla Jackson and Janice Skinner helped serve food outside. The self-proclaimed “skater moms” of teenage boys looked the part of any American soccer mom, doling out soft drinks and barbeque beans.

“It’s been a healthy niche for these kids,” said Skinner, whose son was skating inside. “Pete’s been an incredible supporter for them.”

Jackson holds the popular title of not only being a skater mom but also a skating mom who had a key to the building. “Sometimes I would come here at night and poach the place,” she said.

Marsiglio said he is looking to raise as much as $5 million to build a new facility. In the meantime, the ramps will be broken down and carried into a storage facility located next door.
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Colosseum Skate Park closes doors-for now | Planet JH News Article: Sports & Recreation

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