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Posted: 06/06/12

RAMPING UP FOR CHANGES. Above, the vacant building on Van Dyke north of 30 Mile Road that was slated to be a hardware store could soon begin transforming into an indoor/outdoor skate park. Site plans are currently being drawn up to be submitted to Washington Township. The plan is being submitted by Epic BMX and Board, which intends to install skateboard ramps and a BMX dirt course.

(Observer photo by Chris Gray)

Extreme sports shop has
plans for vacant building

by CHRIS GRAY
Observer Staff Writer

      A vacant building may soon transform into a safe place for skateboarders and BMX bikers to practice their tricks.
       Romeo's Epic BMX and Board store is investigating what needs to be done to renovate a would-be hardware store on Van Dyke north of 30 Mile Road into an indoor/outdoor BMX and skateboard park.
       Hunter Hebert, co-owner of Epic, said the plan is to install ramps and a small retail shop inside the 37,000 square foot building as well as installing ramps and a BMX dirt track on nine acres of land behind the facility.
       He said he and his wife, Heidi, have already done multiple walk-throughs of the building and are currently putting together a site plan to submit to the township.
       "Probably in the next four weeks we'll get a general understanding of where it is at this point," Hebert said.
       Washington Township Supervisor Dan O'Leary said Epic needs to approach the township with a formal application before any work can be done.
       "We need to make sure it's in an area properly zoned and make sure it's properly set up in a safe manner," he said.
       O'Leary said the township is open to the idea of bringing a source of entertainment to the community, adding it would be safer than youths skateboarding behind businesses.
       "On the surface, I see a lot of positive coming out for (Epic) and the community," he said.
       Hebert said the goal is to have everything approved and ready to go so ground-breaking can begin in July.
       He said while working on the project he has been in contact with the Armada Board and Bike group, a non-profit in Armada Township that is raising funds to build a skatepark.
       He said Epic has considered offering Armada residents free or reduced admission if the group transferred some of its funds to the park, though the group is checking to see if it's feasible to contribute.
       "People have wanted to do a skate park for a long time," he said. "They're happy to see the kids will have something to do and keep them off the streets."