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Andrew E. Voris

With all of its steps and rails to jump over and grind on, Faner Hall may be one of the most popular spots for skating in the community. But it now carries a hefty fine.

Skating in restricted areas on campus is a violation that used to carry $7 fine but now carries a $50 fine. The restricted areas are in and around buildings and on retainer rails and concrete.

Todd Sigler, director of public safety at SIUC, said skaters caught in restricted areas would not be fined for their first offense.

"As with any time we implement a policy change like this, there is a period of trying to communicate the new change to the students," Sigler said. "We're not seeking revenue, we're seeking voluntary compliance."

The change did not come about from a specific incident, but is the culmination of several years of a problem with noise and property damage, Sigler said.

Catherine Rios, a junior from Naperville in university studies who skates on campus regularly, said there are three skate parks in her hometown, as opposed to the one on campus near the Lesar Law Building.

"I understand where they are coming from, I mean, I wouldn't want my property damaged because of skaters," Rios said. "The bottom line is they need to fix the skate park."

Brian Lukes, assistant director of intramural sports at the University Recreation Center, designed the skate park on campus and said he is always open to suggestions on how to improve the park and other recreational facilities on campus.

"I would be happy to sit down with skaters or anyone to look at ideas," Lukes said. "We have a 6-foot jump that we purchased for $14,000 with a donation from a family that approached us. It should be in around Labor Day."

He also said, "We obviously want a park that the students and the community enjoy and that is safe. I also see Todd Sigler's viewpoint."

Scott Pike, superintendent of grounds, said there has been property damage from skating around Faner, Woody and Pulliam halls and housing areas around campus.

"A lot of times you have to replace the stone," Pike said. "We've put up skate stoppers, little pieces of metal you put on the concrete that hinders them from being able to grind on the edges."

Masonry work outside of Pulliam Hall cost several thousand dollars more than expected when the plans had to be altered when the construction was half completed. Workers installed a handrail to deter skaters from grinding on the concrete, Pike said.

"Skaters were coming in at night before we were even done and riding on it," Pike said. Pike said skaters use areas around campus because they're handy.

"Those are just good places for them to do it," Pike said.

The recreation fee that is part of student activity fees covers the cost for maintenance and improvements to all recreation areas on campus, and more money could easily be allocated to a new skate park if it was a high enough priority, Lukes said.

The park is not as good as it could easily be, Rios said.

"The place is not up to par," Rios said, "The ramps are falling apart. There should be a tarp. The place should be open all night 24-seven and have lights so we wouldn't have to go to Faner."

Reporter Andrew Voris can be reached at andrew_voris@dailyegyptian.com