Pro skateboarder brings new indoor skate park to Louisville's Portland neighborhood

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A professional skateboarder is bringing his vision for a safe indoor skate park to Louisville's Portland neighborhood.

Crews are working on the Sprak Indoor Skate Park, a 13,000-square-foot state-of-the-art skate park. It will have a one-of-a-kind custom built street course and a mini ramp to appeal to all ages and all skill levels.

Sprak is the vision of Paul Zitzer, who came up with the name with his skating friends many years ago.

"Instead of skating, you'd go sprak," he said Friday. "Go sprak around."

Zitzer skateboarded professionally for 10 years. Now, he's a commentator. He even announced for the Tokyo Olympics. He hopes Sprak inspires a new generation.

"Skaters need a place to skate," he said. "There's always been an amazing pool of talent here."

Louisville has one public skating area: the popular Dave Armstrong Extreme Park on Franklin Street near Waterfront Park, but park leaders have been forced to reduce hours because of safety concerns.

Last July, police arrested two teenagers at the skate park for concealing AR-style weapons in their waist-bands. Security footage in the area has also shown people firing guns dozens of times outside the park, even after hours were reduced.

Zitzer said that's unfortunate.

"Parents of young skaters may be a little bit afraid to take their kids there — definitely to drop a little kid off downtown," he said.

Kids like 10-year-old twins Kate and Claire were at the Extreme Park on Friday. They want to try out skateboarding.

Kate said "it's just kind of like flying," and her sister thinks it cool. Their mom wants somewhere secure for them to test out their skills.

"I would love to have a safe place they could play and learn," Christina Davis said.

Zitzer hopes Sprak will be that safe space. It will offer memberships for unlimited skate boarding with a price tag of $50 to $75 a month.

The custom course will accommodate young kids up to professionals.

Zitzer's vision is for it to host high profile contests and put Louisville on the map in the international skateboarding community.

"Everything a skaters gonna want should be inside these walls," he said. All the fun with none of the fear. "I think it's the answer the city needs right now for skateboarding."

Sprak is expected to open to the public in July. The facility is located on North 27th Street near the McAlpine Locks. To find out more and to get updates on the opening, follow them on Instagram @sprakskateboarding.

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