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An Online Resource Station for Avid, R&B Skaters |
Lady hip hopper and actress, Eve, is on board to be part of the cast of “Whip It” - the roller derby film being produced by Drew Barrymore. Read more on SOHH.com: “Eve Rolls w/Drew Barrymore in Upcoming Flick.”
Many were unaware of any controversy surrounding the sale of Elsmere Skating Rink in Delaware until RST’s posting entitled “Shady Rink Deal Goes Down.” Since then, it has been announced that the rink’s new owners are Tracy and Lawrence Akines, a Black couple who currently live in New Jersey where Tracy has served for many years as General Manager of Millennium Skate World - a rink operated by United Skates of America.
RST has attempted to contact one of Elsmere’s former owners, Cort Wahlig, for comment but he has not returned several phone messages An interview request submitted to Tracy was denied with the comment that she was not interested. At this time Garry “Gman” Corporal, the long time general manager of Elsmere is refraining from any further comment and is continuing to move forward with his plans for the future.
RST is glad to be able to add another Black owned rink to the Black Rinks page but continues to have questions about the process and ethics involved in Elsmere coming under its current ownership.
In what appears to be a shady, underhanded and ‘cold-blooded’ deal, Elsmere Skating Center in Delaware has been sold and Garry “Geeman” Corporal, who was the rink’s general manager for 30 years, was told to pack his things and get gone by July 28. He had long been told or assured that he would become the rink’s next owner but instead, Elsmere has been sold to another person. According to the new message on the Elsmere phone line, the rink name is now “Adrenaline Skating Center,” a slap in the face to Corporal who was one of the originators of the Adrenaline Awards and Weekend which he hosted annually from Elsmere for the past several years.
Corporal issued this news release today:
Elsmere Skating Center Closed, Then Sold
Peace and Blessings, as some of know, I have been released of my duties, of operating and Managing The Elsmere Skating Center in Wilmington as of July 28, 2008. I leave with mixed emotions because I have made so many good friends over these past 30 plus years. My life has been greatly enriched by the kindness and encouragements so many of you have shown to me. I will always be grateful for the many friends I have made along the way and the wonderful memories I take with me. With a bit of sorrow, I wish to formally announce my departure from The Elsmere Skating Center. I remain grateful, however, for the opportunity to work with everyone at The Elsmere Skating Center. My thanks to all who made Elsmere Skating Center and the skate store flourish as it did. I wish the best of success to everyone who is remaining with the new owner or moving to new ground. Again thank you all for the opportunity to allow me to be a part of your lives, God Bless.
Unconfirmed reports have it that another Black rink manager was involved in this shady deal which, in essence, kicked Geeman to the curb after his many years of working under the belief that Elsmere’s owner would be true to his word and promise to transfer rink ownership.
RST wishes the best to Geeman as he moves forward through the many open doors that are surely ahead of him and will eventually, if it is his desire, lead him into the ranks of the small, but steadily increasing, number of Black rink owners in the country.
