The former church as indoor park

From a comment by Paul yesterday: "I found the solution for St Joseph's while looking at my other feeds today" -- it's a Colossal post about a century-old church in Spain that's been turned into an indoor skate park. The space is beautiful. An indoor park of some sort is an interesting idea to think about for a former church -- if anything it plays on a strength of a building like St. Joe's, mainly that it's really big. (Thanks, Paul)

Earlier: A new look at St. Joseph's, and an eye toward its future

Comments

woah thats awesome

I would be down for this as long as it also allowed BMX bikes!

Would this idea be acceptable to the neighborhood association?

I also wonder how this might fit in (or not) with the proposed Washington Park skatepark plans?

good forward thinkjng by the Spanish.

This would get my backing as woo\uld any new use to keep people invested in their local area.

.

These types of conversions are pretty big in Germany, too, ranging from indoor skate/bike parks, indoor dog parks, and often local vendors pooling together to create innovative indoor markets. Any one of these would suit this building, give its size...just waiting for the neighborhood to complain about the clientele it would bring in, like it has with previous failed upstarts for this church.

This is a very outside-the-box, forward thinking idea. I'm sure many may find it crazy sounding at first, but hopefully something like NYC's Highline can act as proof that creative reuses of spaces can be very successful. Whether something like this can be pulled off in Albany is questionable, but it would be great use of that building.

I have this halcyon idea where these buildings are repurposed into places where people could go and reflect and maybe pray or meditate and find happiness and fulfillment contemplating what is right and what is wrong and learning how to act and care for one another.....nah....make it a disco roller rink with booze and drugs provided!!!!!!!! How about some pole dancers and cock fights? Our society is falling quickly into oblivion! I remember when they wanted to make the Armory into the main library for the City of Albany...now look what it has done for our city...it's a place to get stabbed while taking drugs and rolling around in foam....we are so freaking pathetic.......I feel like I am in Pottersville and George Bailey had never lived!

Maybe even something like this, but inside the church? (Brooklyn tarmac pump track):
http://www.pinkbike.com/news/velosolutions-asphalt-pump-track-new-york-city-2015.html

Hi there. Comments have been closed for this item. Still have something to say? Contact us.

The Scoop

For a decade All Over Albany was a place for interested and interesting people in New York's Capital Region. It was kind of like having a smart, savvy friend who could help you find out what's up. AOA stopped publishing at the end of 2018.

Recently on All Over Albany

Thank you!

When we started AOA a decade ago we had no idea what was going to happen. And it turned out better than we could have... (more)

Let's stay in touch

This all feels like the last day of camp or something. And we're going to miss you all so much. But we'd like to stay... (more)

A few things I think about this place

Working on AOA over the past decade has been a life-changing experience for me and it's shaped the way I think about so many things.... (more)

Albany tightened its rules for shoveling snowy sidewalks last winter -- so how'd that work out?

If winter ever gets its act together and drops more snow on us, there will be sidewalks to shovel. And shortly after that, Albany will... (more)

Tea with Jack McEneny

Last week we were fortunate enough to spend a few minutes with Jack McEneny -- former state Assemblyman, unofficial Albany historian, and genuinely nice guy.... (more)

Recent Comments

My three year old son absolutely loving riding the train around Huck Finn's (Hoffman's) Playland this summer.

Thank you!

...has 27 comments, most recently from Ashley

Let's stay in touch

...has 4 comments, most recently from mg

A look inside 2 Judson Street

...has 3 comments, most recently from Diane (Agans) Boyle

Everything changes: Alicia Lea

...has 2 comments, most recently from Chaz Boyark

A few things I think about this place

...has 13 comments, most recently from Katherine