Anyone who has an affinity for art will want to get their dibs on some amazing skateboard decks that carry the unique designs of Huntsville’s own.

Back in May, Algonquin Outfitters (AO) was approached by the Rotary Club of Huntsville about the possibility of making a donation to help cover the outstanding costs associated with the construction of the Rotary Youth Park. Instead of handing over a large sum of money, the business took a more creative approach.

“We sold 80 blank skateboard decks for $20 and buyers were encouraged to decorate the boards with original artwork of their choice,” said Randy Mitson, marketing director for AO. “The sale of those decks raised $1,600 for the youth park. Out of those 100 boards we sold, 36 came back. The enthusiasm from people who participated in drawing blew us out of the water and some of the artwork on those decks is unbelievable.”

The boards are now a part of the Rotary Club’s annual Christmas auction and can be viewed on the auction website at (www.huntsvillerotaryauction.com). All of the boards have been placed in Block 1 on the auction website and 100 per cent of the bids will go toward supporting the new youth park. The auction will take place on Nov. 30 and will be broadcast live from the Algonquin Theatre.

“At this point the skateboards are out of our hands and are in the process of being auctioned off,” said Mitson. “The minimum bidding starts at $5 and there are bids now on some of the skateboards for $100. Most people, I think, will look at them as an art form rather than putting wheels on it and grinding rails. I bid on one of them for my daughter. I can see it as something she would totally love to hang up in her room.”

Mitson explained that the highest bids on individual decks will determine the winners for AO’s Design a Deck contest. The first prize is a skateboard package worth $350, the second prize is $250 and the third is $170.

“We hoped that with the contest we would be putting a message out there to not tag or spray-paint the park. We wanted to encourage art and we were definitely successful. The quality is above what we thought. To sell 100 boards is an achievement, but to have 36 come back was amazing. Not only did (the initiative) give a lot more back to youth park, it engaged the community as well.”