SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — A roller skating rink in Sioux Falls hits the 50-year mark this week.
From the neon sign, to the disco ball, to the smell of cotton candy, there’s a wave of nostalgia when you roll into Skate City.
The Sioux Falls roller skating rink opened in 1974.
“I think a lot of parents were happy on a Friday night to drop their teens off for a while and maybe have some peace and quiet or do something on their own,” Former owner Anne Erickson said.
Erickson and her then-husband Chris owned the rink with Anne’s parents.
Chris’ parents were investors.
Back then, skaters knew it as Carousel Skate.
Friday nights turned into controlled chaos as skaters flocked to the rink.
“It was crazy. Look back at it now, some of those nights were stressful, but we had so many good customers and people we got to know through the years that we really looked forward to it, but it was always nice when Friday night was over,” Former owner Chris Erickson said.
After owning the rink for over 40 years, the Ericksons sold it to Kevin Curtis in 2015.
It’s now called Skate City.
“I’m as happy that they are, that things worked out and that we can carry on this rink because, obviously, I’m in the roller skating business and I want to see kids roller skate, and that’s the fun of the business, and as they grow up, their kids, so we see generations of skaters, which makes it kind of cool, so it’s nice to carry on and I’m glad to be a part of it,” Curtis said.
Today, Friday nights are still buzzing.
School parties also draw big crowds.
Nathan Carter started skating at the rink about 10 years ago.
“It’s just something I got into as a kid and I just never fell off from it. It’s the one thing I can just empty my mind and do my own thing,” Carter said.
Kevin isn’t sure if there is a secret to keeping a roller rink alive for 50 years, other than the joy of skating.
“I think it’s a fun, family entertainment,” Curtis said.
While it’s easy to add up the 50 years that have gone by since the rink opened, the memories are countless.
“When I run into people out in public, they say they have fond memories of it. And it’s so nice to see the generation after generation coming in,” Anne Erickson said.
The roller skating rink will host a 50th Anniversary celebration this Saturday with discounted skating from 6:00 PM-10:00 PM.
