Skatepark ramps and platforms were fabricated and donated by JTV Mfg. R. had taken measurements of similar equipment in a couple of other towns but ended up working from a large fold-out Slim Jim ad containing a detailed “Snap Pipe” blueprint we found in one of Anthony’s skateboarding magazines. Slim Jim’s parent company ConAgra was contacted to give them credit for the initial design. Lundell Mfg from Cherokee donated the black paint job.

The skate ramps were set up in the Sutherland City Park on April 14 & 15 of 2006. Anthony’s grandpa and little brother each had a birthday that weekend.

Sutherland Skatepark Photo Gallery

Tim Gallagher Journal staff writer, May 12, 2006

A “pipe dream” comes full circle as half-pipe and quarter-pipe units are dedicated at a skate park in Sutherland, Iowa.

The project began well over a year ago when Sutherland youths and their parents asked members of the local park board if the city could support a skate park.

“I remember 15 (youths) came to the board with their parents,” says Sutherland Mayor Carolyn Rohrbaugh. “They wanted some skate equipment and we asked them if they wanted us to save our money so we could afford some expensive equipment, or if they wanted us to get some affordable equipment right away.”

The skaters asked city leaders to pursue the latter, which they did. Five components of the skate park were put in place last spring. The place was named Pete’s Skate Park in memory of Bernard “Pete” Petersen, who served Sutherland on the city council or as mayor for three decades.

“He had just passed away and the family donated money and we put it toward the skate park,” Rohrbaugh says.

One youth who used the park was Anthony Vos, 13-year-old son of Rian and Gwen Vos.

On June 17, the boy was killed in a motorcycle crash at the Iowa Great Lakes. Following his death, Vos’ parents tossed around the idea of erecting some advanced jumps at the skate park, building upon their son’s passion for the sport.

“He was a big skateboarder,” Rian Vos says.

Vos, owner of JTV Manufacturing in Sutherland, found himself in position to act on the vision. He and his coworkers spent many Saturdays this winter building a half-pipe and a quarter-pipe out of fabricated steel. JTV, which has been in Sutherland for seven years, is a contract manufacturer for fabricated products. The firm employs 40.

This week, the staff made a plaque bearing Anthony’s name to be placed at the park in the center of this O’Brien County community.

“We set up the new equipment as soon as the weather got good and it was incredible seeing all the kids using it that first day,” Rian Vos says. “The kids all came out and tested it. It was kind of cool.”

Among those “test-driving” the new equipment was Evan Vos, 10, the younger brother of Anthony.

“Evan tried it and it met his approval,” Rian Vos says.

The dedication of the new equipment at “Pete” Petersen Skate Park takes place at 10 a.m. Saturday.

https://siouxcityjournal.com/news/sutherland-skate-park-dedication-saturday/article_82278f92-2534-5f2a-bc79-0f3902c5eeae.html

Monday, May 1, 2006

Nancy Nelson, Staff Writer

Youth from the city of Sutherland helped to decorate the new skate park equipment with spray paint recently after the equipment, built and donated by JTV, was installed. (Photo by Chris Reed)

Park built in memory of a friend and son

It was little more than a year ago when a group of young teens approached the Sutherland City Council about building a skate park at the city’s park in the center of town.

The teens took it upon themselves to approach the city council and some parents were unaware of their efforts until word got around. The city did put some equipment in for skateboard enthusiast to use to get the project started.

Among those ambitious youngsters was Anthony Vos, the 13 year old son of Rian and Gwen Vos. Unfortunately a short time later, in June 2005, a motorcycle accident claimed the young boy’s life. The community of Sutherland naturally pulled together during the tragic event in the form of memorial money.

Originally the Vos’ had meant to use the memorial money to complete the skate park in memory of their son. Instead they opted to hang on to it to possibly help out a classmate down the road.

Since Rian Vos is one of the owners and operations manager for JTV in Sutherland he had the means to build what his son and his friends wanted at the park. The goal, a half pipe and quarter pipe to add to the equipment the city already had on hand.

The design was taken from, of all places, a Slim Jim advertisement. Rian called the Slim Jim company and explained the situation and how they wanted to build the equipment shown in the ad. The company had no problem with it and the design was set in motion.

Over the winter a couple of guys from JTV donated their time to build the half-pipe and quarter-pipe in a couple of weekends with JTV donating the supplies and equipment to build it.

When the equipment was installed a few weeks ago their son’s friends and classmates came and were allowed to spray paint the equipment to their own preferences. Then they put the equipment to immediate use.

Even the Vos’ younger son Evan has already put the park to use. The Vos’ enjoy seeing the kids in the community putting the skate park to use, but admit that it is also bittersweet. Rian says, “I hope the kids have fun on it.” They were glad to help complete a project that their son helped to start.