'I'm devastated': After 26 years, future of a Milwaukee skate park is uncertain

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The future of Four Seasons Skate Park in Milwaukee is in jeopardy due to potential changes in the building’s ownership, a move that could bring the park’s more than two-decade run to an end.

Four Seasons Skate Park has long been a place where riders say they’ve built more than just skills.

People who spend time there describe it as a community and a second home.

The park’s owner, Jeff Gozdowiak, said running the park has always been about creating a safe space for people. He said a potential sale of the building has left the future uncertain.

He said, "The current landlords didn't benefit from the building in the way that they were hoping when they originally bought the property.”

Skaters and riders said the park has been more than just a place to practice.

Aiden Noonan, a skateboarder said, “Every time I’ve come here, I’ve had a good experience. I've made a lot of great memories, and a lot of great friends. The best part is the community."

Corey Ellis, a BMX rider, said “I was devastated, I'm still devastated. I’m not going to have a place to ride in the winter or summer when the weather is bad. The closest place is in Green Bay or Illinois for an indoor park.”

Gozdowiak said he is looking into the possibility of moving, but he said financial and zoning hurdles make it unlikely.

He said, "We’re looking into options that we may have to move to a different location, however there’s a bunch of hurdles with that we would have to rezone a building. I’m not the guy with the deepest pockets so financially I’m not sure if that’s going to be viable for us to do.”

Gozdowiak said, “We’re going to work through it and see what comes out of the other end. If this is the last chapter of this book I can’t look back and feel bad about any of it.”