Posts Tagged ‘black owned skating rinks’
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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Mar
30

Do You Support Black-Owned Rinks?

GeneralMarch 30th, 20108 Comments

Recently, an RST reader suggested that a piece be done about whether Black skating rinks are receiving support from Black skaters and just how much support those skaters are giving as far as attending sessions and hosting events at those rinks. It is true that there are not very many Black-owned skating rinks to be found and the ones RST knows about are listed on the “Black Rinks” page. If you are aware of other rinks that should be included in this category, let us know.

In 2003-2004 RST did a series spotlighting 3 Black-owned rinks and, as a flashback, links to those articles are being re-posted. Read about how these rink owners got started, difficulties they faced and some of their secrets to success.

Lockwood Skate Palace (TX) Jan/Feb 2004
Hoover Skate Arena (OH) Sept/Oct 2003
Markham Roller Rink (IL) July/Aug 2003

Our listing shows 27 Black-owned rinks in 14 states, most of them (6), in Illinois. If you live in these areas, do you regularly support these rinks? If not, what are some of the reasons that keep you from doing so – are there improvements that need to be made? Is the rink too far from you? Do you think skaters and event organizers should commit to doing more to support and ensure these rinks survive the tough economic times we are in?

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Feb
17

New Black Rinks

Site updatesFebruary 17th, 2008No comments

The list of Black owned/managed rinks keeps expanding.  Visit the Black Rinks page for the latest additions:  New Skateland Arena in New York and Dekalb Hollywood Skating in Georgia.

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