VF Outdoor Inc., a subsidiary of Vans' parent VF Corp., entered into a lease agreement with Huntington Beach on Jan. 27. The City Council unanimously approved a plan to lease the near three-acre site for $1 a year for 20 years, with two 10-year options to renew, in return for Vans covering the cost to build and maintain the skate park, which will be constructed by California Skateparks and should cost about $2.5 million, Van Doren said.
City Councilman Joe Carchio was excited about what the new complex could mean not only for skaters all around Orange County and the country, but the entire city with Vans covering so much of the costs while making it free to the public.
He said he hopes the venue will be complete in six months.
"I wish I could skateboard," Carchio joked.
The park, which will sit off the 405 Freeway's Beach Boulevard exit, is hoped to generate sales tax revenue by attracting more business to the city. Bella Terra, an outdoor shopping center that is less than a mile away from the site, is expected to get a boost, as the skating venue will also host professional and amateur skating and BMX events, according to Van Doren.
"Hopefully, [the events] will be in the neighborhood of our surf contests where the prize money will bring in top-notch skateboarders," Carchio said. "We will be able to promote the city as a skate city and a surf city. I don't think we are going to change our name, but hopefully it brings in some high-quality people."
The complex will hold a 15,000-square foot skating bowl area and a 12,000-square-foot skate plaza, with rails and other small obstacles to mimic a street environment. It will be from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily and include a restroom, drinking fountain and parking lot.
