TUCSON, Ariz. — A few years back, bicycle motocross (BMX) riders showed up for a series of City Council meetings, pleading to be allowed to ride in the new Santa Rita Skate Park.
Skateboarders weren't the only ones needing a safe alternative to practice extreme sports, they protested.
In the end, it didn't work.
There were concerns about cramming all those wheels into one spot. There were questions of design and liability.
Ian Abbott, a 35-year-old general manager of an aerospace industry company, said he interpreted the city's answer this way: "If you want it that bad, go seek it in the private sector."
His response: Game on.
"If you're going to give me that challenge, I'll find a way to do it."
He thought about suing the city to demand access but concluded it would drag on too long, with riders risking their safety in the streets.
Instead, he got out the tool kit and precisely a month ago today, he opened a nonprofit indoor park — Premises Park, a play on the "no skateboarding on premises" signs.
It's not limited to bikes. If it's got wheels, as in skateboards and scooters, it's welcome.
The 4,600-square-foot facility is in the old 1950s-era sofa factory at the corner of Speedway and Main Avenue.
Abbott got the keys to the building on May 19 and a day later, he showed up with hammers, screw guns and 20 volunteers who went to work building places to ride, including a foam pit and a 14-foot-high vertical ramp.
Aside from donations, Abbott put all the money in himself. He went to a hardware store after every paycheck to get more wood and worked on it every night after work for two months.
A graduate with a business management degree, Abbott put together a business plan that relied on no debt.
He's got insurance. Considering people are doing backflips - or at least trying - helmets are mandatory. There's video surveillance. He makes parents sign waivers of liability, but says despite all precautions, doing anything on wheels is a hazardous recreational sport.
His costs are simple: utilities, rent and one employee. If it doesn't work, he figures he can just walk away.
But he doesn't think that will happen.
He's had 20 skateboarders over three weeks, and 300 bike riders.
Abbott is still critical of the city — cities all over the country have bike facilities, he notes, chalking it up to "pure laziness."
Fred Gray, the city's parks director, said he hasn't seen the new facility, but he added that it's not as easy as slap-dashing a project together. There are plans and architects and specifications to take into account, he said.
And while Gray said there is no money to build any BMX facilities, the city is aware of the need once funding becomes available. "These things will be considered when we start developing parks again."
Abbott said he didn't get building permits or other city approvals to operate the park, which he said he doesn't need since he's renting from a site that is grandfathered in. He did have licensed contractors make sure an existing loft was strong enough to hold spectators.
But Abbott said ultimately, he couldn't wait for the city.
"There are two groups of people. Either you're going to be in the group that's sitting there complaining, or you'll be in the group that's doing something about the situation."
Oddly enough, now that he's got a place to ride, he's now too busy to do it.
Information from: Arizona Daily Star, http://www.azstarnet.com