Southwest Georgia Skates searches for potential locations to rebuild skatepark

ALBANY, Ga. – As the movement to bring back Albany’s skatepark continues, the skater heading the cause is speaking with the city about where the new park should be.

CBS 44’s Brian Roche has more.

Southwest Georgia skates founder, Alex Ranew is presenting multiple locations across downtown Albany as potential spots to rebuild the Albany skatepark.

We caught up with him about why these locations were chosen.

“I mean, all of these areas are in the heart of downtown Albany where the highest foot traffic is and where citizens can see them enjoy other amenities around them, like the local businesses. Businesses will thrive in downtown Albany with, you know, the skatepark as close as possible to all these other amenities,” said Alex Ranew, Southwest Georgia Skates.

Locations Alex mentioned to us include a pair of privately-owned land plots on East Broad Avenue, and the Civic Center parking lot.

And, Alex says the sooner they can get a location, the better off things can get for local skaters.

“It would be super important because, I mean, skateboarders and the youth are growing restless in downtown Albany without a skatepark. So, I mean, that’s that’s the main point. That’s the climax of this project, is getting an actual location,” said Ranew.

But, there may be a problem as there are issues to work through with each of the potential locations that may need discussions with the City of Albany and Dougherty County.

However, Alex feels optimistic that Southwest Georgia Skates and the City of Albany will be able to reach a decision in regards to the skatepark.

“Cause we can really get things rolling after we, you know, decide on the locations and hopefully, you know, they can pinpoint a location that we can actually start building the skate park at and, you know, go from there,” said Ranew.

While Southwest Georgia Skates works with the city of Albany to pin down a location, they’re hoping a decision on where the new skatepark will be built can be reached.

Ranew tells us Southwest Georgia Skates has been working to organize weekend meetups for Albany area skaters in the meantime.

Brian Roche reporting.

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