Hambuchen's idea for indoor skate park taking shape

When it comes to skating, 22-year-old Joey Hambuchen, who has been skating since middle school, said his initial appeal to the sport was self-explanatory.

"It's fun. You're riding a board, doing tricks, going fast," Hambuchen said. "Everything about it is pretty fun."

Hambuchen is well-known in local skateboarding crowds. He's the owner of The Good Wheel, an area skateboard and supplies store.

Now, Hambuchen is excited about his next venture bringing the first indoor skate park to Central Arkansas.

Slated to open this month, The Good Wheel Skate Park is nearly completed.

Hambuchen said he has been considering the project since he opened the The Good Wheel, but he really got serious about it within the last year.

Complete with vert ramps, rails for grinding and all of the other features a skater would want from an indoor facility it is truly something out of a Tony Hawk video game. There will even be an observation deck for non-skaters to watch.

The layout of the skate park, located off Harkrider near Dave Ward Drive, was designed by Hambuchen, who brought in a professional builder to oversee the beginning stages of construction.

Hambuchen said the need for such a facility was apparent. Being the first indoor facility in Central Arkansas, it is also one of only a few in the state.

And he feels that it will be embraced by the local skaters.

"There aren't many places in Conway to skate. The current skate park here is alright, but an indoor facility will be better," Hambuchen said. "We can have music. We can use it at night. There will be supervision, so if something breaks we can fix it immediately.

"Everyone I've talked to is really excited about it. They're ready to get in here."

Hambuchen said there will be constant supervision, and also stressed that it will be a family-friendly environment. People will also be able to schedule parties and other recreational activities there as well.

Safety is also a concern for Hambuchen. Visitors under the age of 18 will be required to wear a helmet, and have a liability waiver signed by a parent or guardian. Skaters over the age of 18 will be allowed to skate without safety equipment at their own risk.

Hambuchen is also excited about other possibilities an indoor skate park can present. He hopes to have video premieres, skate demos and local skate competitions.

Video premieres would showcase local talents who used the facility and other areas in Conway to produce a skate tape, Hambuchen said.

Skate demos would showcase amateur and professional skaters who happened to be traveling through the area, something Hambuchen said was difficult for public parks.

"We will be able to accommodate things like that here rain or shine," Hambuchen said.