Roller skating is back — let the celebrations begin.
Roller Skate City is open and providing hours of wholesome entertainment.
The roller skating rink opened its doors last weekend, and UNM student Kaci Paetz, operations manager, said she got great feedback from customers who said they were happy to have a roller skating rink in Albuquerque again.
She said about 900 people skated on Friday, Nov. 6 and about 800 on Saturday, Nov. 7. The rink is open to all ages. Admission is $4.50 for a two-hour session and $1.50 for each additional session. Skate rentals are $2.00.
Roller Skate City is a branch of the Skate City chain. The six other skating complexes are in neighboring states, such as Kansas and Colorado.
Owner Jeff Ingrum said he wanted to create an Albuquerque branch when he learned that the local roller skating rink, Roller King, closed down.
“I’ve been a part of Skate City for 29 years,” he said. “We started talking about opening one in Albuquerque after Roller King shut down.
The rink had been here for 30 years, and I knew that Albuquerque was a great market.”
Skate City spent $400,000 to completely renovate the former Roller King facility, Ingrum said. The renovations included a new light show, sound system, skating floor, carpet, video games, lockers and rental skates.
The company also brought in televisions to show sports games while people skate, Ingrum said.
“We offer public skating, adult night (ages 21 and up) on Sundays, birthday parties, private fundraising, skating classes and in-line hockey,” Ingrum said. “We want to be a huge part of the community, and if we do a good job there, then we are guaranteed to do well.”
Ingrum said the rink gives a free pair of skates as a gift to each person who has a birthday party at the rink or joins the rink’s in-line hockey league.
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Ingrum hired 12 UNM students onto his staff, including 10 part-time employees and two full-time employees.
Student Chris Imbert, marketing manager, said the rink has changed a lot since the days of Roller King. Roller Skate City will also be more involved with the community than the old rink was.
Imbert said Skate City helps local schools put on fundraising sessions Monday through Thursday. After a class has skated, the school receives a portion of the proceeds.
“I really like the philosophies the company has,” Imbert said. “They work a lot with the community. What sold me on working here was the fact that they will be creating a strong family environment. We provide really affordable entertainment. It’s a lot cheaper than going to a movie, and you get more out of it.”
Paetz said skating is a great idea for students who have family in town. Not only is the complex family friendly, but it is also a safe environment. The company even works to regulate foul language around the rink.
“Skating is fun and it’s healthy,” Paetz said. “It’s a form of fitness that is enjoyable. It’s rewarding to know that I am a part of making people have fun and be happy. It is a great place for people to come as families and as friends to enjoy healthy entertainment.”
*Roller Skate City
400 Paisano St. N.E.
RollerSkateCity.com*
