Posts Tagged ‘baltimore sun’
Apr
21

Baltimore Rink Faces Closure After Complaints, Violence

Skate NewsApril 21st, 20104 Comments

Another rink that appears to have a large Black customer base is being shut down after reports of violence, unruly teenagers causing disturbances and a number of lawsuits. Skateworks, in the Baltimore area is co-owned by four partners including Barney Wilson who can be seen in this BTV video discussing the controversy surrounding his rink.

Skateworks photo from Baltimore Sun

This photo from the Baltimore Sun shows teens in the parking lot after a Friday night Skateworks session.

In an Apr. 21 Baltimore Sun article, Wilson seems to hint that racial stereotypes and biases could be behind the efforts to shut the rink down. The article states:

….Wilson, the rink’s co-owner, said that “predetermined attitudes” might be partly responsible for Skateworks’ troubled reputation.

“There are not too many situations in Baltimore County where large groups of African-Americans congregate and then let out all at the same time,” he said. “I don’t think the county has another black-owned business of this size.”….

In Skateworks Negotiating for Its Life, another Sun article, the financial problems the rink is facing were outlined, including a number of legal actions brought by former customers.

….The rink has been sued at least 10 times. Five of those suits resulted in judgments against the rink’s owners, four are pending, and one was dismissed.

One of the pending suits was filed last summer in Baltimore County Circuit Court on behalf of Travis A. Baxter, 26, who was hit by gunfire and injured on Feb. 20, 2009, outside the skating facility. Baxter contends that Skateworks had inadequate security and a history of police calls. He is seeking $10 million…..

Baltimore area skaters, is this rink worth saving? Have you skated at Skateworks and, if so, what were your experiences? Do re-enforcements need to be brought in to rally behind the rink owners and help them weather this storm?

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