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Private Skatepark Planning - Ideas for a Successful Business

This is a work in progress - please visit SuburbanRails.com

Operating a Successful Business
What makes XYZ business better and more successful than ABC business?

1. location, location, LOCATION
2. quality of product
3. business management skills
4. business model / plan
5. evaluate competition
6. is your heart in it?
5. is there a window of opportunity

Potential revenue streams:
1. Number of local competitors indoor facilities, public parks. private parks.
Good local outdoor public parks can actually help your business grow. Your
park will be the focal point for bad weather and seasonal months. Additionally, if
you have a pro-shop you can provide equipment to all the local riders. Badly
designed or built public parts definitely will help your business. You have a chance
to show the city what they should've built.
15 minutes
30 minutes
1 hour

2. indoor/outdoor
Is your climate conducive to an outdoor or indoor park? Maybe you can have
some outdoor elements for good weather.

3. What should my price of membership be? (how many will we sell annually)
Yearly memberships can range from $50 - $500 year( monthly memberships
are an option as well). the price should correlate to member benefits and prices.
i.e.,
$50 membership $10 session
$500 membership $5 session with 2 free sessions a month.
other ideas; buy 9 sessions and your 11th free, purchase $50 or more in the
pro shop and receive 1 or 2 free sessions, $50=1 free session, $100=3 free
sessions, etc... get creative and entice the skaters

4. Wow many sessions to typically run in a day / price
How many hours will a session be? typically the time will be 2-4 hours. the
amount charged for this session should correlate to the membership fee.
2 hour session member $5.00-8.00
2 hour session non-member $10.00
all-day member $10.00-$15.00 (maybe include free pad or helmet rental)
all-day non-member $20.00-$30.00

Flex System: I actually prefer this system. Have the skaters check into a computer system (we give a copy of sessionWATCH to all of our customers) that tracks their park entry time and they pre-pay for X amount of hours. The skater HAS TO CHECK out of the park when they leave. If they've gone over the allocated time they need to pay additional fee. If they forget to checkout, their account is flagged and they have to pay for a full days pass the next time they visit the park.

6. Annual revenue from skate fees, how many participants, what they charge
per session

7. What's annual revenue from rentals, what percent of kids rent?
Requiring helmets is good for your insurance rate as well as being a good
rental revenue stream. likewise, requiring all pads helmet, elbow and knee pads
for kids under 18 will help your rental fees. at some point the rider will want to
purchase his/her equipment in your pro-shop
helmet rental

8. What's charged for parties, what does a party include - maximum number of
people, how many parties annually

from Carolina Ice Palace : Carolina Palace
The Jester package has a ten-person minimum. The cost is $12 per person
and includes admission to a two hour public skating session, skate rentals, cake and
ice cream, three pitchers of soda for every 10 paid attendees, $3 arcade cards per
paid person, a special gift for the birthday child, 2 Skate masters which is a walker
that we have at the Ice Palace, a 2 for 1 admission coupon for every paid person,
and invitations.
Our second package, called The King package, also has a ten-person
minimum. The cost is $14 per person. And this package has everything the Jester
package has to offer but instead of three pitchers of soda for every 10 paid
attendees you get five. Instead of $3 arcade cards you get $4 arcade cards and
each paid person gets a choice of a slice of pizza or a hot dog.
The last package is called The Royal Package and it has a fifteen-person
minimum. The cost is $21 per person and this package has everything the King
package has including tickets to that evening’s SC Stingrays game or the next home
game when applicable.
All of our birthday parties require a $25 non-refundable deposit.
Reservations must be made in person or tentatively by phone Monday through
Saturday 10:am-8pm and Sunday 10:00am-6:00pm.

9. Special events, skate competitions how many special events do
they try to schedule, revenue from event

10. Skate Camps how many camps : attendees per camp. Average rate. Average
time Frame

11. Local demographics community/city size and surrounding communities
with and without parks

12. Lessons and Skatecamps:
From http://www.zerogravityskatepark.com/summer%20camp.htm
Mission: The Camp’s goal is to expose each skater to a full range of beginner,
intermediate, and aggressive skating skills and tricks. Each session will be packed
with a wide variety of aggressive skating tricks, games, drills, skills, and fun! Safe,
proper techniques will be taught for all the various ramps, rails, grinds, grabs, and
airs. Age, interests, and abilities will organize campers into sub-groups for more
focused attention.
The program focuses on basic skills, style, balance, and, of course, tons of skating
with your friends. The indoor park and skillful instructors create the optimal
environment for rapid progression. Mornings are spent working directly with camp
instructors. Afternoon skating is available to work on specific tricks.
Daily Schedule: Both camps have structured instruction from 9 a.m. to 12 noon.
Daily training starts each morning with a full stretching and flexibility session
followed by instruction time where everyone learns new skills and techniques.
Campers are given positive guidance and encouragement to try new tricks. Proper
body position and awareness are emphasized. From 12 to 1pm campers have lunch
(12 oz. soda, pizza or hot dogs, chips, cookies), re-hydration and rest! Free skate
time is from 1pm to 3:30pm where campers will practice new tricks and techniques
just learned in the morning session for maximum retention and proficiency. Just
$5 additional gives skating time until 9pm.
Cost: Day Camp is $265 per week, extended skate session is $5/day. Family
Overnight Camp is $690 for first camper and $235 for second camper staying in
same family room. Fee includes a free Zero Gravity T-shirt and free use of our
safety equipment. Member and family discounts available.
Payment Policy: A $100 deposit is required at time of registration. Accepted
methods of payment: Visa, MasterCard, Discover, money order, personal check.
Refund Policy: Upon written notice of cancellation, received eight days or more
prior to camp start date, deposit will be refunded less $25 processing fee.
Cancellations made seven days or less from camp start date will forfeit $100
deposit.
working skatepark business
http://www.zerogravityskatepark.com

13. Pro-Shop
it is ESSENTIAL for a new skatepark to include a pro shop. Get shoe accounts and skateboard supplier accounts setup in advance. If you do not find out what shoe accounts and board accounts you can get, you might find yourself struggling to get new accounts with shoe companies as they are very territorial. Also, some individual might take advantage of your work and start a skateshop down the street from your park. This happens so be prepared.

The skatepark should definitely have a supporting pro-shop under the same roof.
If you can’t stock all equipment in your shop, start with a small inventory and you’ll
soon realize the increased demand for product.

Some all inclusive skateboard distributors:
Alien workshop: 800-278-3787
Deluxe Distribution: 800-935-7045 | SF CA | deluxe
Eastern: 910-791-8240 | NC | eastern skate supply
VK Sports : 800.427.1278 | Anaheim, CA | vksports
SouthShore : 713-926-3295 | Houston, TX | skatenet.com
RAX : 800.958.4729 | CA | raxusa Some all inclusive in-line distributors:

on-line list of distributors:
Skateboard Directory.com

14. Concession
Food, beverage and treats for the hungry skater! Just as important as your pro shop is your concession stand. Microwave Pizza, Hot Dogs, and Fountain Drinks are a necessity!

15. Staffing
Hire friendly knowledgeable staff. The right staff will draw skaters to your park. Hire staff members that will be able to teach lessons as well.

16. Park Sponsors
Contact local and national business and sell Ad Space / Banners at your park. Telecom / Wireless Companies love to advertise at skateparks. Energy Drink customers want space at your park as well.

SOME EXPENSES:
occupancy cost : rent, payments, heating light
staffing annually
retail store : cost of goods
events : cost for revenue
camps : cost
other:
sponsorships
ads
concessions
rental
pro-shop / skate shop

Download our Profit and Loss Spreadsheet

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