Hamburg, NY (WKBW) — Skateboarders in western New York will soon have a new venue to show off their skills.
The Food Court Skatepark inside the McKinley Mall will have its grand opening this Sunday.
Skatepark owner Weldon Jones has had this idea for the past five years. He saw the park’s potential while working at another store in the mall and is finally making that vision a reality.
“Having a skatepark is basically every skateboarder’s dream,” Jones said.
Buffalo has not had a public indoor skatepark since 2014 when Extreme Wheels closed. Jones hopes to recreate a sense of community in the new space.
“that [Xtreme Wheels] was on the scene. “People came from all over western New York. All classes came together,” Jones said.
Jones wants to keep people on WNY Skateboards all year long. He not only welcomes advanced skaters who want to improve their tricks, but also offers opportunities for novice skaters who want to try.
“We will offer both group and private lessons if you are interested, and we will also have dedicated time for beginners to get out and have the park to themselves.”
Jones has also mentioned the possibility of hosting paint nights and yoga classes, as well as skating in the space.
“It’s a skate park here, but it’s also a community center,” Jones said. “Even if you’re not into skateboarding, you can come here. We’re going to have a lot of different events just to get everyone involved.”
Jones also hopes the attention from his skatepark will spill over to McKinley Mall, a shopping center in need of more business.
“I want you to just walk into the mall and see what the mall has to offer. There’s a lot of potential there,” Jones said.
The Food Court Skatepark will have its grand opening this Sunday, July 23rd from noon to 9pm.
