GRAFTON, Wis. (CBS 58) — Skateboarders across the nation come to Grafton, Wisconsin to use the tallest halfpipe in North America. Now, that half-pipe is at risk of shutting down after local officials call the hidden landmark the town’s biggest liability.
Barnes can be found for miles across the plains of Grafton. Not many will have a half-pipe nestled inside the barn doors.
When the wheels of his skateboard hit this ramp, Leif Trasser finds himself at home.
“Whenever I’m feeling sad or down or just wanna have fun, I’m just able to skateboard,” said Trasser.
The more air he gets, the bigger the rush.
“Makes it a lot scarier, but it’s definitely a different experience and you’re able to go faster and air higher,” said Trasser.
It’s a testament of Jeremy Trasser’s love.
“When the community reached out it was obvious that other people were interested also,” said Jeremy Trasser, Leif’s dad.
With the nearest half-pipe nearly six hours away, Jeremy decided to bring his son’s love of the sport right to Grafton.
“It was, a couple hours a day after work. It took about 10 months,” said Jeremy Trasser.
The Midwest Vert Ramp is now the tallest public halfpipe in North America.
“When people started showing me pictures of this sudden Instagram, Tony Hawk caught wind of it and ended up coming out and that’s how small of a community that this is,” said Trasser.
It’s also at the risk of shutting down.
“There has been work done there without pulling any proper permits. There’s work that probably does not conform with the building codes. We don’t know that it’s safe for the public,” said Lester Bartel, the chairman for the Town of Grafton.
Bartel says the land the barn sits on is zoned for residential purposes.
“Had [Trasser] told us I’m going to build the largest halfpipe in North America and I’m gonna have people from all over come here and hold the events we would’ve told him right away – don’t buy the lot,” said Bartel.
For the Trassers, this ramp was a way to share their love of the sport with others.
“Yeah, I think it would be a detriment if it were to be taken away from the other people that come here pretty often,” said Leif Trasser.
The Town of Grafton says that’s still possible, just not at this barn.
“The best solution is to find another barn that is zoned properly so that you can do this, and build an empire,” said Bartel.
The Town of Grafton will go into closed session at Wednesday’s town meeting to decide the fate of the Midwest Vert Ramp.
“For me, to just try and do something for my kid that then becomes something so heartfelt by the community is tremendous and I can’t be grateful enough,” said Jeremy Trasser.
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Publish date : 2024-11-13 11:52:00
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Publish date : 2024-11-14 05:06:02
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