An era rolls into the sunset
This news probably won’t ruin anyone’s weekend plans, but RollerSkateLand in Santee just closed after almost 30 years. Its sister rink of the same name in Chula Vista is set to close in June. Both owners said they don’t have enough skaters to pay the rent on land that is becoming increasingly valuable as Santee and Chula Vista continue to grow and sprawl.
The Chula Vista rink has a bit of a shady past. There was a shooting on the premises in 2004 that left one person dead and injured three, but that aside, most locals know it as kinda a hangout for gangsta teens.
And while I don’t remember the feathered hair glory days of rinks, I do have fond memories of “boy-girl couple-only” skates beneath disco balls weaving around to Madonna’s ‘Crazy for You.’ I also have a certain soft spot in my heart for performing the hokey pokey on wheels. And I will never do it on blades.
If your looking to pick up an old, new hobby, Skate San Diego in National City plans to keep its doors open.
There’s also Skateworld in Linda Vista.
http://www.sandiegoskateworld.com
I grew up in rural Colorado. My mom would have to drive my friends and me all the way to New Mexico just so we could skate. I loved it. I remember playing snowball and limbo on skates (no easy task). Good times…
North Park had the greatest rink in San Diego, the Palisade Gardens at 30th & Utah. They had punk shows there in the 80s. it was torn down to make way for ugly ugly condos.
There’s roller derby at Skateworld this saturday night, followed by public skating. sounds fun.