OGDEN -- A self-confessed later bloomer, Simon Kirschman didn't become a serious skateboarder until he was 25. That was three years ago and well before he established Cik Skate Park, an indoor skateboard park housed in an orange-colored former Pepsi-Cola bottling plant at 1717 Washington Blvd.
Kirschman, who was introduced to skateboarding by his younger brothers, has become passionate about the sport.
"There is something about rolling around on wheels and trying to keep the board under your feet," he said Wednesday.
Kirschman's love of skateboarding is evident at Cik Skate, which opened in June.
The climate-controlled park enables skaters to perfect their skills year-round and should see heavy use, particularly during winter months when outdoor parks are closed, Kirschman said.
The park has a 10,000-square-foot section that features two half-pipes, along with a street skate area that features a variety of rails, ledges and ramps to replicate skating in an urban environment.
Inline skaters and bicycle motocross racers also are permitted to use the park.
The park has a 3,500-square-foot area that includes a store stocked with skateboards, accessories and apparel. There's a lounge that sells snacks.
Cik (pronounced "sick") is the second indoor skatepark in Ogden. The other is Crossroads Skatepark, 95 N. Harrisville Road.
Cik Skate isn't targeting a specific age group and has had skaters ranging from 3-year-olds to those in their mid-50s, said Shaun Tilby, Kirschman's brother-in-law and the park manager.
"We are just trying to offer anybody and everybody a family-oriented environment."
However, most of Cik Skate's customers are young skaters who enjoy honing their skills at the facility. "It's a good thing for kids. It's a lot different than playing video games."
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