ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - Skaters in Albany are doing everything they can to convince the commission to bring a skatepark back to the Good Life City after River Skatepark on the east side was demolished last month.

To 19-year-old Alex Ranew and his friends, this skatepark is more than just a place to skateboard. It’s a youth-friendly space that provides Albany’s teen population with a fun and free activity, something the city is heavily lacking these days.

“Right now, Albany has a dangerous precedent set where activities are being taken from us at a scary speed,” said Alex.

During Tuesday’s City Commission meeting, Alex addressed city leaders about the importance of rebuilding the River Skatepark. While he spoke, over twenty teens and adults stood behind him in support.

“They really want somewhere that they can meet up. A place that is free of violence, a place that is free of drugs, a place that is inclusive of all genders, races, cultures. That skatepark, for Albany, is that place,” said Jeffery Ranew, Alex’s father.

Since the skatepark was demolished one month ago, Alex and his fellow skaters have created a petition that has been signed by over 750 community members. They have also created t-shirts to bring attention to the issue.

“The closest skate park is an hour and a half away in Macon, Georgia. If we could get a better skatepark than Macon, I could argue that Albany would dominate the skate scene of southwest Georgia,” continued Alex.

“When the skatepark was first built, I was in college but professional skaters from all over the country came to skate there. It is a huge part of this community that has really gone unseen by most people,” said Jeffery Ranew.

The Commission says they plan to take the issue up again at their next meeting. The former location of the river skatepark is designated for construction crews working on the Oglethorpe Bridge project.

Alex tells WALB that he and the other Albany skaters are in this for the long haul, they won’t rest until the River Skatepark is rebuilt.

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