Skateboard with ocean views at Laguna Beach’s Community and Recreation Center
Jake Morel tries out the new skate ramps at the Laguna Beach Community & Recreation Center in Laguna Beach, CA, on Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024. The city installed temporary skate ramps at the center for city-sponsored skate classes and camps, as well as for free skating during limited daytime hours. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The city of Laguna Beach is putting some new property it has acquired to use so residents can try out their skateboarding skills.
New, temporary skateboard ramps – costing the city $75,000– are up at the Laguna Beach Community and Recreation Center on South Coast Highway.
Tyler Marriner, 8, ride a new skate ramp at the Laguna Beach Community & Recreation Center in Laguna Beach, CA, on Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024. The city installed temporary skate ramps at the center for city-sponsored skate classes and camps, as well as for free skating during limited daytime hours. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Tyler Marriner, 8, looks to his mom, Katy Marriner, before heading down a new skate ramp at the Laguna Beach Community & Recreation Center in Laguna Beach, CA, on Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024. The city installed temporary skate ramps at the center for city-sponsored skate classes and camps, as well as for free skating during limited daytime hours. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Tyler Marriner, 8, keeps an eye on Claudio Miranda as he checks out the new skate ramps at the Laguna Beach Community & Recreation Center in Laguna Beach, CA, on Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024. The city installed temporary skate ramps at the center for city-sponsored skate classes and camps, as well as for free skating during limited daytime hours. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The new skate ramps at the Laguna Beach Community & Recreation Center in Laguna Beach, CA, on Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024. The city installed temporary skate ramps at the center for city-sponsored skate classes and camps, as well as for free skating during limited daytime hours. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Jake Morel tries out the new skate ramps at the Laguna Beach Community & Recreation Center in Laguna Beach, CA, on Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024. The city installed temporary skate ramps at the center for city-sponsored skate classes and camps, as well as for free skating during limited daytime hours. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Tyler Marriner, 8, looks to his mom, Katy Marriner, before heading down a new skate ramp at the Laguna Beach Community & Recreation Center in Laguna Beach, CA, on Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024. The city installed temporary skate ramps at the center for city-sponsored skate classes and camps, as well as for free skating during limited daytime hours. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Tyler Marriner, 8, looks to his mom, Katy Marriner, before heading down a new skate ramp at the Laguna Beach Community & Recreation Center in Laguna Beach, CA, on Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024. The city installed temporary skate ramps at the center for city-sponsored skate classes and camps, as well as for free skating during limited daytime hours. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Tyler Marriner, 8, keeps an eye on Claudio Miranda as he checks out the new skate ramps at the Laguna Beach Community & Recreation Center in Laguna Beach, CA, on Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024. The city installed temporary skate ramps at the center for city-sponsored skate classes and camps, as well as for free skating during limited daytime hours. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Tyler Marriner, 8, ride a new skate ramp at the Laguna Beach Community & Recreation Center in Laguna Beach, CA, on Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024. The city installed temporary skate ramps at the center for city-sponsored skate classes and camps, as well as for free skating during limited daytime hours. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Jake Morel tries out the new skate ramps at the Laguna Beach Community & Recreation Center in Laguna Beach, CA, on Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024. The city installed temporary skate ramps at the center for city-sponsored skate classes and camps, as well as for free skating during limited daytime hours. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Tyler Marriner, 8, looks to his mom, Katy Marriner, before heading down a new skate ramp at the Laguna Beach Community & Recreation Center in Laguna Beach, CA, on Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024. The city installed temporary skate ramps at the center for city-sponsored skate classes and camps, as well as for free skating during limited daytime hours. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The new skate ramps at the Laguna Beach Community & Recreation Center in Laguna Beach, CA, on Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024. The city installed temporary skate ramps at the center for city-sponsored skate classes and camps, as well as for free skating during limited daytime hours. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The center is at the site of the shuttered St. Catherine’s of Sienna Parish School, which the city purchased for $23 million and took over last year with plans of renovating the facilities there for community use.
The site has four buildings with 39,500 square feet of indoor space. There are also athletic courts, a soccer field and playgrounds. The private school was built in 1957, remodeled in 2008, and has been vacant since 2019.
The steel ramps have been set up in the school’s old playground area, providing a fun and scenic opportunity for skaters of all ages. The ramps were opened to the public on Jan. 8, and since then, they’ve become popular, said Michael Litschi, who heads up the city’s transit and community service departments.
“We’ve been seeing a good response, especially by younger skaters,” he said, adding that some adults have shown up, too.
The ramps are there for free skating sessions, and will also be used for skateboarding classes and camps through the city’s Recreation Department.
Free skating is allowed 2 to 5:30 p.m. during the week and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays and closed on Sundays. Protective gear is required.
