Ramps And Alleys Clubhouse

Our mission is to provide educational and recreational activities while promoting healthy lifestyles and building positive relationships. The Ramps and Alleys Clubhouse is designed to provide a safe, fun, hang out for the youth of Chaffee County and operates under the 501-C3 status of the Ark Valley High Rollers Roller Derby Team.

The Ramps and Alleys Clubhouse offers a commons area and community space for people of all ages to hang out, paint, play games, and meet new friends. The Clubhouse also offers an indoor mini skate area and an outdoor skate ramp with a full size run of equipment for those who don't have their own.

The #1 rule of the club is to “Be Excellent to Each other”. Clubhouse volunteers have been pleasantly surprised to find users of the space upholding this rule and teaching it to others. Users also find it easy to uphold the rule that designates the space as “screen-free”. Clubhouse kids find it easy to stay busy and engaged with each other and with physical challenges that come from skating.

The Ramps and Alleys Clubhouse has partnered with local programs such as the Boys and Girls Club of Chaffee County, elevateHer, Alpine Achievers, and the Family and Youth Initiatives to offer roller skating and skateboarding opportunities. Many participants then join other club sponsored programs such as junior roller derby. 

Programming and activities at the Clubhouse are intended to be free of charge or very little cost for special programs. This is only possible through donations, grants, fundraisers, and community support. 

The kids that inspired the Clubhouse initially were excited to be involved in its creation. Director, Stacy Falk, enlisted the support of the kids that she had met hanging out in skate parks around town. They helped build the interior features of the indoor skate park, paint walls and floors and furniture, clean up the dilapidated exterior space, and they eagerly marketed the space to their friends. 

The first year of Clubhouse kids have taken so much ownership of the place that in addition to spending much of their free time there, they give tours, encourage donations, and show up to help with projects and events whenever needed.   

The club has become a safe space for everyone, especially within the LGBTQIA+ community where adults and youth feel comfortable to be who they are and share their stories. 

Student interns at the club have continued to help shape the space as youth driven through art and peer mentoring in roller-skating and skateboarding. This has helped maintain the integrity of the club. One of the first high school interns, Kai Jones, said "The club gives people who have never gotten the chance to really try skating to do it with it all being inexpensive and free. My time at the club has changed my life for the better and made me feel that Salida is becoming a lot safer place."

By donating to the club, you are helping facilitate operating costs that can and will keep us rolling for years to come.