In high-flying tournament fashion, Utopia Teen Center will showcase its latest addition Saturday.

Thursday, August 26, 1999

In high-flying tournament fashion, Utopia Teen Center will showcase its latest addition Saturday. Some of the best talent in southern Minnesota and northern Iowa will put on an exhibition show before the first ever Utopia indoor Skatepark Skateboard and Rollerblade Tournament Aug. 28.

&uot;I’m really excited about it,&uot; Utopia Director Mona Satre said of the center’s indoor park. &uot;I haven’t been this excited in a long time.

&uot;They (exhibitioners) will blow you out of the water,&uot; she added. &uot;They’re incredible.&uot;

The local youths aren’t slouches either, she said, adding that as many as 100 youths will compete in Saturday’s tournament; many will come from surrounding communities to compete for trophies and prizes.

The public is welcome to watch the event at no charge. The exhibition show is at 5 p.m. and the tournament starts at 6 p.m. The entry fee for beginners is $10 and the advance competition fee is $12.

Parental consent waivers are required for participants younger than 18. Helmets and knee pads are also required.

&uot;When Mankato (the only other indoor park in the region) did this, they had over 100 people compete,&uot; Satre said. &uot;This is our first one. So I don’t know what to expect.&uot;

But if the park’s recent success is an indicator, expect a crowd.

Since the park opened in July, it’s been a hit among youths in southern Minnesota and northern Iowa, she said.

&uot;Every night we have 20 to 30 kids in here,&uot; Satre said. &uot;They (besides Freeborn County) come from Rochester, Mankato, Des Moines, Northfield, Austin, Minneapolis, Mason City, Stewartville and Osage. I even had some dads in here.&uot;

She said part of the park’s success is because it’s safer than city streets. With skating a city code violation, the only option for skaters were the streets before the park opened.

&uot;All these kids got in trouble doing it around town,&uot; she said. &uot;Now, they can do it in here and not have to worry about getting ticketed. Teen-age boys have so much energy to burn off. If this won’t burn it off nothing will.&uot;

The park is now dominated by boys, but Satre said she’s planning to offer classes to girls in the fall. Beginner classes are also planned this fall.

&uot;The thing I really like is a lot of the older boys will take the time to teach the younger ones,&uot; Satre added. &uot;We’re also going to try to develop an afternoon program.&uot;

Satre said Utopia also plans to organize team competitions.