Just as they did when the Simic Roller Skating Rink first opened on a New Year’s Eve about 40 years ago, volunteers and donors have joined together to prepare for the reopening of the roller skating rink.
The rink was closed and building maintenance stopped with the arrival of the COVID pandemic. After being locked up, when the pandemic faded and volunteers checked into reopening, it was discovered the building had not faired well. The roof had leaked, water pipes had frozen and the interior of the building was generally a mess.
A new board was organized to assume responsibility for running and maintaining the facility and money for needed repairs was raised. It has taken longer than expected but plans are to open the rink to the general public on Friday. As a new generation of youngsters will need to learn how to roller skate, the rink will be open exclusively for youngsters age 8 and under from 6 to 7 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday. Skaters of all ages are welcome to test their abilities from 7 to 9 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday.
The reorganized board members included Teresa Erickson, Vickie Nielsen, Trey Fierstein, Alison Brittenham, Becky Scott, Brett Behrends and Eric Krotzinger. They, along with their children and friends, have tested the rink and pronounced it ready for opening.
The interior of the building has been refreshed and new skates purchased. The building now has a new heating and air conditioning system which is hoped will make it more comfortable throughout the year.
After this weekend, the rink plans to be open every Saturday until summer.
Everyone under age 18 will need a waiver signed by a guardian and contact information on file in the rink office. Once a waiver is signed, it will be good for a year. So before skating for the first time, the waiver must be signed. Youngsters eight and under will need an adult present while they are skating.
The rink may be booked for parties and other events.
Roller skating gained widespread popularity in the 1880s and was popular in the United States from the 1930s to the 1950s. Popularity returned in the 1970 when it was associated with disco music and roller disco. Superior has had at least three roller skating rinks including the Skatemor located where the VFW Club is now located.
The earliest roller skates known are from the 18th-century Europe. They were used in theater and musical performances, possibly to simulate ice skating on stage.
Waitresses in an 1840s beer hall in Berlin used roller skates to serve customers.
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