roller rinks becoming a poor-man's sport

[chunchmeow]

It might just be a regional thing but rinks are closing in my area because they just can't afford the taxes and/or fees to keep open. The survivors seem to be in poor neighborhoods where security is an issue so they end up getting a bad rap.

For example, the Skate Key in the Bronx closed due to elevated shootings in the area. Then last night the Empire Rink in Brooklyn had a shooting during the adult session last night. Both areas were rather bad but both rinks were the only indoor wood floors in the area.

So its my assumption that because of the rise in condo's and the slow disappearance of the middle-class blue collar worker, rinks are being sold for storage to the highest conglomerate bidder. The few remaining are in areas I would not frequent (being white and a female) so the only option is to abandon the sport and/or move far away from my home.

[hikkergurl]

Chunch,

With the trains and ferry situation there in NYC, maybe once a week you could go to Long Island, Brooklyn, or something. I don't know the area like I once did, but it's a thought.

Good luck,
Liz

[chunchmeow]

Originally Posted by hikkergurl

Chunch,

With the trains and ferry situation there in NYC, maybe once a week you could go to Long Island, Brooklyn, or something. I don't know the area like I once did, but it's a thought.

Good luck,
Liz

Thanks for the suggestions Hikker There are a few roller rinks in Long Island but not accessible by train. There are also no more rinks in Brooklyn after the Skate Key closed. Believe me, I did extensive research upon moving here.

[rwsz]

Originally Posted by chunchmeow

It might just be a regional thing but rinks are closing in my area because they just can't afford the taxes and/or fees to keep open. The survivors seem to be in poor neighborhoods where security is an issue so they end up getting a bad rap.

For example, the Skate Key in the Bronx closed due to elevated shootings in the area. Then last night the Empire Rink in Brooklyn had a shooting during the adult session last night. Both areas were rather bad but both rinks were the only indoor wood floors in the area.

So its my assumption that because of the rise in condo's and the slow disappearance of the middle-class blue collar worker, rinks are being sold for storage to the highest conglomerate bidder. The few remaining are in areas I would not frequent (being white and a female) so the only option is to abandon the sport and/or move far away from my home.

you are more then right on those accounts, we have a rink in boston ma, the chez zous which i hear might close for those seem reasons.

Rick

[jp260z]

I know four rinks here in Northeast Pa that all closed around the same time (mid to late 90's). However I'm only aware of one that opened since then. 3 of the closed rinks still stand, just abandoned old rinks now. One sold and is a police barracks if I remember correctly.

I don't know the reasons behind any of the closings. It's a shame though.

Jay

[rwsz]

Originally Posted by jp260z

I know four rinks here in Northeast Pa that all closed around the same time (mid to late 90's). However I'm only aware of one that opened since then. 3 of the closed rinks still stand, just abandoned old rinks now. One sold and is a police barracks if I remember correctly.

I don't know the reasons behind any of the closings. It's a shame though.

Jay

a lot fo the rinks around here closed because they received good offers on the land or building for another type business. also many of the owners got older and sickly and some even passed away, sadly.

Rick

[motosk8ter]

That is a good point. I never thought of Roller Rinks being a poor mans sport though some of the characters that come through the door are suspect at times. Poorly managed rinks do not make the money and overhead costs are high. It can be a cheap sport and is a place to meet people. It is also a sport of the young more than the old and thereby a lowering of income levels. Our rink is managed by a kid who just graduated from High School. He does a great job but is limited by his experience. Many of the problems can be stopped at the door, obvious drinking, drugs, gangs, and things like that. Behavior on and off the floor could be addressed more proactively. I really think it gets down to managing the rink appropriately. In our situation we have a kid leading kids and there is a management style more along the lines of impulsiveness than proactive planning, drives me up the wall but is the nature of youth. Finally when you play music that talks about killing, breaking the law and graphic sex it cannot raise the level of clientele you want to attract nor the behavior of your patrons. I totally agree with you that the Middle Class is shrinking and that those that have not shrunk do not skate.

[wetandwild]

Originally Posted by rwsz

a lot fo the rinks around here closed because they received good offers on the land or building for another type business. also many of the owners got older and sickly and some even passed away, sadly.

Rick

Hi Guys! I was reading your posts and just wanted to say I live in Toronto, Canada and I have 3 rinks which is close enough for me to acess!!

[unicycle1234]

Just last week, I overheard the local roller rink manager complaining that they have to tear down part of the new Cafeteria to provide access to wheelchair to the counter. They have designated a seating area for wheelchair users and promised to bring menus to serve them, but no-can-do. We also had a skate park closed because someone broke his neck and city is afraid to get in trouble.

It seems establishments that provide healthy activities and encourages people to interact, are at a big disadvantage these days so people (especially children) will just stay at home on their game box or TV or computer because no one would provide the facility and still be in business. Perhaps Canada is a better place to bring up children when you have 8 hrs per week for PE, and as someone said earlier, three rinks to choose from.

[MachV]

Originally Posted by unicycle1234

Just last week, I overheard the local roller rink manager complaining that they have to tear down part of the new Cafeteria to provide access to wheelchair to the counter. They have designated a seating area for wheelchair users and promised to bring menus to serve them, but no-can-do.

Hey you in the wheelchair, go sit in the corner until I get to you.

That's what it sound's like to a person in a wheelchair.

[online inline]

Originally Posted by MachV

Hey you in the wheelchair, go sit in the corner until I get to you.

That's what it sound's like to a person in a wheelchair.

Yes, thanks for putting that out.
The person with a disability wants to be able to access the facilities as readily as other patrons. They don't want special treatment and they don't want to be dependent on another to serve them. They want to be able to use the facility in the same manner others do, and with a little planning and good design practices, they should be able to.

Thanks for pointing this out, MachV (Leroy?).

[MachV]

Originally Posted by online inline

Yes, thanks for putting that out.
The person with a disability wants to be able to access the facilities as readily as other patrons. They don't want special treatment and they don't want to be dependent on another to serve them. They want to be able to use the facility in the same manner others do, and with a little planning and good design practices, they should be able to.

Thanks for pointing this out, MachV (Leroy?).

Yep, tis me.

As skaters, we are all one stone, twig, paceline pileup, careless motorist, pedestrian, etc from maybe using a wheelchair.

Knock on wood!!!!!

[chunchmeow]

very true, any of us could break anything at any given time. Sometimes I worry about screwing up my wrists because they are my tools of expression.

[Kennedy]

In general, the steps toward closing seem to be as follows....

The kids with financial means have lost intrest because there are other things to keep them and their parents occupied. Computers, video games, general lack of intrest in physical fitness. Also, skating is not 'cool'.

There is a whole other demographic of kids that are still willing to come skating. These are the people that can't afford computers, video games. The rinks start to cater to this crowd. It is rougher crowd. Fights and various other poor behaviour become common place. Skating almost becomes secondary. The old skaters try to come back, but 'their' rink is full of trash. They cant have fun as they once did because they have to constantly watch their backs.

Eventually. there is some news making event, like a shooting, that chases away everyone. The original crowd that the rink cater to for decades, is not willing to come back because of the reputation. As a result, the rink owners are stuck with an empty building wondring what happened.




I was lucky enough to witness a few rinks to be able to turn things around. The owners/managers were able to determine when to stop catering to the rough crowd. Sure, they had to take a loss in business in the short term, but in the long term, the business survived and eventually prospered and thrived despite the demographics of the surrounding community.

[jp260z]

It's good to hear about some rinks surviving the downward trend. Wish "mine" made it.