March 1, 2014
While many skating centers feature new lighting technology like lasers and black lights, VanHouten said that the disco ball is still king of the rink. “The old standard is still the disco ball,” she said. “Everybody always wants to make sure the disco ball’s going.” Moonlight Rollerway has made some advancements in lighting, according to […]
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January 1, 2014
When explaining the popularity of the “glow phenomenon” at roller skating rinks, Nick Champa said it’s not exactly rocket science. “Have you ever seen what it looks like when someone waves a glow stick around in the dark?” asked Champa, owner of Champ’s Entertainment Complex in Lexington, Ky. “A glow stick will put a kid […]
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November 2, 2013
Dominic Cangelosi, owner of Moonlight Rollerway Skating Rink in Glendale, Calif., recently donated his vintage Hammond B3 organ to the National Museum of Roller Skating in Lincoln, Neb. Museum Director James Vannurden explained, “Rinks have always had music. This is Dominic’s personal organ that he would bring to wherever the National Indoor Championships were being […]
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November 2, 2013
When you run a roller skating facility, your goal is to keep the families coming and ensure that a new generation grows up loving to skate. The roots of Skate Daze in Omaha, Neb., go back to the 1940s when the father of current owner Scott Cernik, traveled the Midwest with a portable rink. Now […]
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November 2, 2013
The family entertainment center industry is growing at an ever-increasing pace. In fact, the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions estimates the FEC industry has growth of approximately 25 new facilities each and every year – and the roller skating industry is no exception. In interviews with several roller skating rink owners, we found […]
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September 1, 2013
Be flexible. The more you’re willing to work with a client, the more likely they are to come back – and to refer a friend. Use social media. More people go online to plan events. That’s why getting the word out on sites like Facebook and Twitter can help link your facility with potential customers […]
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September 1, 2013
While birthday parties are still an important revenue source, roller skating rinks from the Rockaways to Venice Beach are finding innovative methods to draw unusual events to their locations. For example, at Portland’s Oaks Park Amusement Park and Roller Rink, Emily MacKay, the promotions and events manager, is taking advantage of Washington State’s new marriage […]
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May 20, 2013
Keep it Clean: Constantly inspect the skating surface and surrounding areas for debris. Watch the Flow: Make sure skaters are moving in the right direction and not weaving or playing tag. Check the Skates: Routinely inspect skates for problems.
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May 20, 2013
Roller skating pros whizzing by can be daunting for less advanced skaters, and the role of the roller skating center is to provide a space for all levels of skaters to move about safely. Employee training in the area of safety is therefore critical. Short of following the weak and wobbly skaters around the rink, […]
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April 4, 2013
In this time of the constant entertainment provided by tablets and smart phones, roller rinks around the country are still drawing in customers with old-fashioned fun. But the centers are also mindful that change is essential to keeping in tune with current thinking regarding how customers are spending their leisure entertainment dollars. “We have so […]
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