The young skateboarder wiped out, rolled over, checked the cell phone in his breast pocket for damage, got back on his board and rolled away.

It takes more than a mere spill and a few scabs to discourage those dedicated to the sport of skateboarding.

Several dozen skateboarders showed up this week for the first demonstration of commercial skateboard park modules at the Sportsplex.

Mayor Dan Williams and City Councilmen Ronnie Marks and Johnny Crutcher viewed a demonstration by Skatewave Modular Skateboard Systems of Delano, Minn., on Tuesday afternoon.

The Athens Skate Park Committee had run public notices that all area skateboarders were invited to come try out the modules. In a business plan submitted to the Athens City Council on June 12, the committee estimated that to convert the old city pool on U.S. 31 in Swan Creek Park for skateboarding and install commercial modules would cost between $100,000 and $125,000. Committee Chairman Jerry Higman said they have contacted several manufacturers of the modules to request demonstrations.

On Tuesday, company representative Johna Junkins and Heather Hanson required each skateboarder who participated in the demonstration to sign a release of liability, wear an approved helmet and an identification wristband before allowing them on the court set up in a Sportplex parking lot.

The two ramps and a couple of accessory pieces used in the demonstration cost about $12,000, according to Hanson, who said the nearest parks their company has outfitted are in Roswell, Ga., and Andalusia.

“Skateboarding is definitely a growing sport in Alabama,” said Hanson.

Twin brothers Ricky and Casey Blankenship, 10, said they’ve been skating for about three years, practicing daily in the parking lot of Bonne Doone Apartments where they live. Tedrick Bolden, 10, said he also practices at his apartment complex, Willowbrook.

Matthew Steele, 15, of Decatur, said he has been skating for about two years. He said his mother drove him to Tuesday’s demonstration and would probably drive him to Athens if there were a park.

More than a year ago the city allowed skateboarders to use a portion of Swan Creek Park adjacent to the public walking track, but officials closed the park because of excessive litter, vandalism and graffiti.

When asked if he thought skaters would respect a new park and help police it, Steele said “Some would and some wouldn’t. It all depends on the person.”

Athens Skate Park Committee members have proposed that the city would “maintain an aesthetically pleasing appearance” should a park be established and become part of the Recreation Department. They also propose that such a facility be established as a “skate at your own risk” park so as not to increase the city’s liability.

Committee members said their main goal is to get skaters off city streets for their safety and that of the public.

“I think there is a lot of interest in skateboarding,” said Marks, who is council president. “But it still goes back to the financial issue and whether the city can afford to take on such a project. As I’ve said before, I wish that some businessman would step forward and sponsor the project because we are probably talking in excess of $100,000.”

The mayor said if the city does decide to establish a skateboard park, it would be possible to begin with purchasing just one or two modules at a time rather than funding the entire project.

Marks said he understands the committee’s needing to have the city involved because the committee has no official standing in applying for state or federal recreation grants.