Whether you’re 7, 27 or 67, there’s one place people of all ages have a good time – that is at the local roller rink.
October is National Roller Skating Month, a campaign by the Roller Skating Association International (RSA) to get people into their rink to lace up some skates and reap the physical, mental and social benefits of this favorite pastime. This year’s theme, “Roller skating is the original social network,” promotes roller skating centers as safe places to socialize and make new friends.
“It’s definitely always a good time,” De’Jon Jackson, 22, said. “The staff is nice, and they keep the place really clean.”
Jackson is a regular at Roller City in Jacksonville. He can be found dancing and zipping around the rink on weekends. He’s also a Marine, something else that’s unique to Roller City.
“We see a lot of young military that are just arriving,” Jeni Lanier said. “We’ve been here long enough now that we can see the ones who stick with us stay out of trouble. It’s good innocent fun.”
Roller rinks are still a favorite spot for birthday parties, family nights and a fun form of exercise. Roller skating provides a complete aerobic workout for over 640 of the body’s muscles, especially the heart.
More: Heart of the Town: The good times keep rolling at the Topsail Beach Skating Rink
Lanier and her sister, Chelsea Byrd, have fond memories of skating around Roller City after their family moved to Jacksonville when they were kids. Lanier grew up to be a hairstylist who still daydreamed about how much fun it would be to own her favorite childhood hangout. She finally got the opportunity to buy the business and open the remodeled rink in August 2018. She brought Byrd onboard to handle the rink’s marketing and event coordination.
“I enjoy running a skating rink. I’m definitely in my strengths here,” Lanier said. Lanier is active in the RSA and loves working with other roller rink owners to share business ideas and bring awareness to all the ways people can enjoy roller skating.
The pandemic caused many to rediscover the joys of skating as everything, including gyms, shut down in 2020. Inline skates, rollerblades and bicycles quickly sold out at stores as people craved solo activities to stay active during lockdown. Many families struggled with homeschooling and suddenly being cooped up together 24/7. Having time and space to unwind became more important than ever.
“I’m really passionate about letting kids come and have their own social time,” Lanier said.
In a time when malls, restaurants, movie theaters and other businesses are cracking down on teenage patrons being unsupervised, Lanier said kids need a place they can be themselves outside of their homes and away from parents. Roller City is a bit more lenient than most rinks on things like the dress code.
“A lot of places will say no spaghetti straps or crop tops or saggy pants, but that just doesn’t work today,” Lanier said.
Roller City does not tolerate disruptive behavior of any kind or allow bags inside the rink. They want guests to feel comfortable to come as they are and have a good time. Music playlists are carefully selected for crowds that frequent different days of the week. Guests can skate to their favorite new and old songs with clean lyrics.
“A lot of the same people are here every weekend,” Lanier said.
Byrd said everyone seems to have a better time when groups of Marines come to liven up the party. Roller rinks aren’t just for kids, as adults love to socialize, exercise and relive the good times they had decades ago.
Lanier said owning a roller rink is not for people who don’t like to work nights and weeks. The fun atmosphere and people she meets more than makes up for the odd hours. At Roller City, she’s definitely in her element.
“I always tell people that just because you got old and forgot about skating, it doesn’t mean it’s not popular anymore,” Lanier laughed.
Roller City offers private events, birthday parties, field trips and open times for all skating enthusiasts. The rink sells skates and has a full snack bar.
Roller City is open from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday and 7 to 11 p.m. on Friday. There are two sessions on Saturday from 2 to 6 p.m. and 7 to 11 p.m. Everyone skates from 2 to 6 p.m. on Sunday and adults only from 6 to 9 p.m. Entry prices range from $8 to $15, depending on the day and timeframe. For more info and a calendar of events, visit rollercityjax.com.
Reporter Jennifer Rich can be reached at jrich@gannett.com.
from WordPress https://ift.tt/3lSTX1h
via IFTTT
No comments:
Post a Comment