Zionville Ramp Company (ZRC Skate), a local skate park situated near the border of Tennessee and North Carolina, is on track to be fully operational by October 31, following an accident in mid-July. A drunken driver struck the company's camp van, causing damage that affected ZRC Skate's offices and camp rooms.
Ashley Galleher, the owner of ZRC Skate, described her initial reaction to the news as disbelief. While the indoor skate park remained unaffected by the collision, the damage to other parts of the facility led to immediate operational changes for the remainder of the summer. Notably, ZRC Skate had to cancel its overnight camps, impacting children who had eagerly anticipated them throughout the year. Galleher expressed her frustration, stating that such incidents disrupt her ability to be present and have fun with the kids, which is a primary source of joy in running ZRC Skate and giving back to the community.
The accident also forced ZRC Skate to postpone a significant project Galleher has been developing for approximately a year and a half. This initiative involves transforming a portion of the facility into a bed-and-breakfast. The envisioned bed-and-breakfast would cater to skateboarders, couples, and families, allowing them to stay at the facility and have full access to its amenities and sessions. However, due to the structural damage, Galleher currently feels uncomfortable hosting large numbers of people, making it impossible to plan new events or camps.
Despite the immediate setbacks, Galleher views the incident through a positive lens, using it as an opportunity to educate campers. She aims to teach them about making responsible choices and understanding that "your choices have consequences that affect more than just you." Galleher believes that children often grasp these important lessons more readily than adults.
The outpouring of support from the surrounding community also became a significant factor in ZRC Skate's recovery. Galleher admitted she initially hesitated to accept help, not wanting to burden people. However, she soon realized the community's desire to assist, finding that "a lot of people give a little bit" and that this collective support proved tremendously helpful. This assistance enabled her to pay for a structural engineer and cover the costs of temporary repairs.
ZRC Skate anticipates swift progress on the necessary repairs over the next two months. To prevent a recurrence of such an incident, Galleher plans to install concrete poles outside the building. She emphasized that the recovery would not have been possible without the community's help, extending her gratitude to individuals from Appalachian State, Boone, the wider county, and even those from Hickory and former skaters who reached out.
