2002-06-05 P & R Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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~ ' .~ . Users must be included in the design process; . The size should not be less than 12,000 sq. it nor greater than 15,000 sq. ft; . Construction costs should be approximately $8.00 per sq. ft. and include labor, materials and profits for the contractor; . The ideal location for a facility is in an existing or new park with access to restrooms, drinking fountains and shade trees; and . Different levels of the skaters' abilities must be considered, which can be accomplished by the height, width, and slope of structures. Injuries and IiabDity Aggressive skating is a potentially dangerous sport. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission conducted a detailed analysis of the sport of skateboarding and found that it requires complex motor skills. The maximum amount of motor skills are found in individuals that have hit puberty; however, the aging process beyond the teens can begin to affect skateboard-riding performance. It is recommended that children younger than five years of age should not use skateboards. The CPSC study found that regardless of age, experience is a key factor in reducing the likelihood of injury. Another finding from this study is that in almost all cases of severe injury, the victim was not wearing protective equipment at the time of the accident. The study concludes that wearing of protective equipment could undoubtedly reduce both the frequency and the severity of skateboard related injuries. Equipment that should be worn includes helmet, knee-pads and elbow-pads. An American Medi~ Association study concluded that in-line skating and skateboarding leads to a significant number of wrist and head injuries. The issue of protection against head injury is particularly important because of the potential for long-term disability. In its hazard analysis of skateboardS, the CPSC stated that because there is an element of risk in the sport itself: even optimum conditions would not completely prevent accidental injury. An experienced skateboarder, wearing full protective equipment and riding a well-engineered and maintained skateboard in a carefully controlled environment is still at risk for injury or death. The probability may be reduced but the risk cannot be completely eliminated. . Potential liability exposure for cities include: . Injuries to skaters; · Injuries suffered by a bystander or spectator; . Improper design, construction or manufacturing defects; · Negligence based on irregularities in the skating surface due to wear or vandalism, in conjunction with a failure to repair; · Claims could be based on failure to warn or based on products liability (i.e., ifboards or Safety equipment is rented or provided); and · Injuries caused by a co-participant may give rise to claims involving failure to supervise.