State of the state: Recreation

Katie Feldhaus //December 6, 2013//

State of the state: Recreation

Katie Feldhaus //December 6, 2013//

If you don’t have the time to make the trip to the mountains this ski season, don’t fret. Metro Denver’s got a slope of its own now.

That’s progress for you. Or “Progresh,” as the owners have dubbed the facility.

Denver Design Build recently completed construction on a venue its creators are calling the Front Range’s first indoor “action sports” park, offering skiing, snowboarding, skateboarding, BMX and tumbling progression.

The 11,000-square-foot facility is the brainchild of Questor “Q” Sapnu, Kyle Henley and Mike Pies, who see Progresh as a fit for anyone looking to improve his or her skills in action sports.

 “We saw a need for a facility like this in the Front Range, especially with where sports are going now and the level of tricks people are attempting without proper training,” said Sapnu. “Our mission is to provide a unique action sports experience for all skill levels in a safe and controlled environment.”

Sapnu explained that the name Progresh originated from “progression session,” a term he and friends use to describe their rides, during which they pick unfamiliar tricks and help each other build on their repertoire of maneuvers safely and progressively. That, Sapnu says, is the whole concept of the facility.

“When coming up with the concept for Progresh, not only did we want a place for people to get better at their tricks with experienced coaches, but we also wanted to build something to introduce people to our sports,” Sapnu said.

Progresh plans to offer specialized classes, camps, lessons and drop-in sessions for all ages, from first-time riders to adult athletes preparing for the upcoming season. Yearly memberships are $99 per month for full access to the facility; month-to-month memberships are $110. Progresh also offers a drop-in rate of $35 for two hours. 

Features of the park include a ski/snowboard ramp with synthetic snow, cliff drops, rails, quarter pipes, giant wood ramps, trampolines and the first indoor air bag by BagJump that allows riders to safely attempt new tricks.

With weather conditions constantly changing in Colorado, riders can focus on early season training to minimize injuries and off-season training to help stay in shape.

The grand opening in early September attracted a packed house of 2,000 people and Sapnu trusts that traffic will continue.

“The Thornton location is an easy access point in the center of the Front Range, and people are excited to train without having to make the drive to the mountains,” Sapnu said. “All of these sports have large followings, especially in Colorado.”

— Katie Feldhaus