Green Bay indoor skatepark finds a new home in Ashwaubenon

ASHWAUBENON, Wis. (WBAY) - It’s been months since the Green Bay Action Sports Organization (GBASO) lost its indoor skate park. In late March, the non-profit was given 60 days to move out of its building on S. Ashland Ave. in Green Bay.

Now the search for a new home is over.

The old Gordmans store on Holmgren Way in Ashwaubenon is bigger, and it’s expected to be better. Construction is underway inside.

The non-profit’s operations director, Chad Brinker, says a developer reached out a few months back.

“We toured it, we really liked it, and here we are building ramps,” said Brinker.

GBASO had leased the former location since 2014. The organization had a deal with the building owner for a month-to-month lease. When developers took over, they gave GBASO a notice to vacate the premise.

Action 2 News was there when GBASO reached out to the public for help with breaking down the ramps. Brinker said the community, through the original GOFUNDME page and personal donations, donated about $20,000.

“It’s just a really strong community here at GBASO, and it shows. And I think this space is going to cultivate that even more because it’s such an awesome place,” Brinker said.

They began moving everything into the new location back in April. Some of the old pieces are recognizable, but it’s pretty much all “in with the new.”

”We got a brand new street section. We’re gonna have a new beginner area, a middle street section. We built a centerpiece quarter pipe that’s going to be fun to ride.”

This new space is 19,000 square feet -- that’s 6,000 more square feet than its previous home. And the kiddos are excited about that.

“This one is a lot bigger than the older one, which I’m very excited for because more things will fit here, which means more things to do,” said Ricky Sommers.

The Sommers brothers love doing tricks, but it’s not the only reason they’re big fans of GBASO.

“Making friends. The community is very welcoming, very nice,” said Ricky and Ryder Sommers.

That’s the same reason their mom brings them out to skate.

“It’s just this sense of, this inclusive vibe for the whole place,” mom Ashley Sommers said, “and all the kids feel super welcomed and they look up to the older ones.”

That’s what Brinker says the founder, Brian Schroeder, wanted people to have. Schroeder died last year from a brain tumor but his legacy is being carried on.

“This is a place where we could settle down and stay for a long time,” Brinker said.

It’s obvious from the construction there is a lot of work to get done. Brinker hopes they can open by New Year’s Day, but he isn’t sure if that will be pushed back.

For now, GBASO is asking for help with construction or donations to cover those costs. It set up a GoFundMe account.

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