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Thursday, November 05, 2009
Renovated Rink Ready To Roll
Copyright © 2009 Albuquerque Journal
By Rivkela Brodsky
Journal Staff Writer
Albuquerque's only roller skating rink — shuttered last April — is coming back to life.
A Colorado company has been hard at work renovating the former Roller King rink at 400 Paisano NE and it will reopen Friday as Roller Skate City.
“We are flat-out pumped to be here,” Jeff Ingrum, owner of Skate City, told the Journal. He added that he has had his eye on the rink at I-40 and Juan Tabo since the 1980s. “We wanted to be in this market.”
Skate City is leasing the building from the previous owner, Ken Ballew, who had run Roller King for 30 years. Ballew closed the popular rink when he retired this past spring.
The Journal toured the rink as $400,000 in work was still being completed at the building last month. Crews were installing new black-light carpeting, a new sound system and lighting. The rink also will have new arcade games, new tables and booths as well as a new white rink floor.
The rink will continue to offer inline club hockey and will provide jerseys and shared equipment for games. Recreational players also have the option to play for the rink's club hockey team, the Aztecs, and play against other club teams in Colorado Springs. New youth hockey players get a free pair of inline skates — Skate City's own line.
Kids who have a birthday party at the rink get a free pair of skates from the line, Ingrum said. The skates also are available for purchase. Traditional roller skates are available to rent. The rink will offer theme parties and birthday parties, adult and youth skate sessions and classes.
“I think that is will be a great place for families and kids,” Kaci Paetz, director of operations, told the Journal. “It's a great environment and it's safe.”
Paetz and Chris Imbert, marketing director for the rink, are both UNM students and were recently hired to help run it with two other full-time employees and 35 part-time workers.
Imgrum said although the rink has a fun atmosphere, workers will be in dress pants and shirts.
Skate City has six rinks in Colorado, two in Oklahoma and a sister company rink in Omaha, Neb., and also operates its own marketing, printing and transportation company, which allows them to offer free bus rides to students for school parties.
For hours and prices, visit www.rollerskatecity.com or call 299-4494.
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