Dedicated to skating

By now, avid skateboarders have grown accustomed to the rails, steps

and slopes of the Volcom Skate Park of Costa Mesa, which has been

open for nearly two months.

Little fanfare surrounded the park’s first few weeks -- just hours

and hours of skating.

Tuesday’s official dedication brought the largest crowd thus far.

More than 100 people crowded around the periphery of the $1-million,

15,000-square-foot park and watched as young riders, such as Costa

Mesa resident Jacob Gonzalez, 8, demonstrated their skating skills.

Then the young riders from Orange County, all of whom had won

various municipal skate park competitions, turned their attention to

another rider, Costa Mesa Mayor Allan Mansoor.

He strapped on pads, secured his helmet and rode cautiously across

the flattest parts of the skate park.

City residents and officials cheered as the mayor rode down a

gentle slope and hopped off his board.

Though he made no official remarks to the crowd regarding his

skating abilities, Mansoor did give his take on the park.

“Everything has been running smoothly,” Mansoor said.

A few minutes earlier, Mansoor had joined fellow Costa Mesa City

Council members Katrina Foley, Linda Dixon and Eric Bever on a large

skateboard outside the park grounds.

The city officials participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony, and

the crowd gathered under a black and white tent erected by Volcom,

the Costa Mesa-based apparel company that has a 10-year, $300,000

sponsorship deal with the city that will cover the costs of running

the park.

“Volcom is proud to be selected for this project,” said Douglas

Collier, the company’s chief finance director. “It’s a great asset to

the city. I thank the city for building the park and allowing us to

put our name on it.”

Mansoor thanked a variety of city officials for their work in

making the park a reality. For years, some city officials and

dedicated city residents fought for the park.

Costa Mesa resident Jim Gray, who owns a skateboard manufacturing

company, played an integral part in the park’s establishment.

“We thank the council for being willing to allocate funds

necessary to build a first-rate skate park,” said William Morris,

Costa Mesa’s public services director.

Improvements are still in the works, including grandstand seating.

Kurt Gunning, recreation director for the city of Laguna Niguel,

watched as the young skateboarders tried out the new facilities.

“It’s a well-laid-out park,” Gunning said. “You don’t have traffic

problems and there’s a lot of space for skaters to maneuver.”

o7* ELIA POWERS is the enterprise and general assignment

reporter. He may be reached at (714) 966-4623 or by e-mail at

[email protected].

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