Chagrin Valley Roller Rink will be celebrating its 75th Anniversary this year on November 23, 2022!
The rink originally opened its doors on Thanksgiving Day in 1947. Contrary to local rumors, the rink was actually built as a roller rink and not an airplane hangar or military building. The structure is still mostly original to this day with a few additions, and the main inner Quonset hut frame (arches) was popular and available during the time period due to World War II.
A rink’s skating surface is usually its most valuable asset, in our case it is a solid Maple wood floor. The original wood floor (the same floor your parents, grandparents or great grandparents may have skated on) still lives beneath the current floor you see today. The current floor was installed in the early 80’s and has since been refinished to restore the beautiful golden color of the Maple which you see now. The floor has also survived a few floods which would normally be devastating, but with the dedication and care of the owners throughout the years the rink has never been closed long due to a little flood water…
What is one of the biggest changes over the years? Skater skills. Although we don’t expect to see anything like what we see in the picture below, even in the 80’s we could still put on the occasional stoop skate or flea hop, have limbo or tire races… All day marathons and lock ins are also a thing of the past; most just don’t have the skills to skate or compete for hours on end. The times have changed, we hope to see more people on roller skates and take interest in lessons again and bring back some marathons!
Roller derby!? Although we don’t host roller derby at our rink, we are a great place to start learning how to skate if you are interested in joining a derby team. Don’t join unless you take some beginner lessons first! Proper training can help increase your skill level as well as help prevent injuries. We also host Speed Clinics for those who already compete or want to learn more, so don’t hesitate to reach out for lessons or join us for a speed skating clinic!
From video games to ticket redemption – sadly, we sold our last arcade game, the Mortal Kombat machine a few years back or more… our rink is now filled with new and trendy ticket redemption machines. Home gaming has created a huge dent in the arcade industry.
Our Halloween Skate is a TRADITION. From homemade costumes to inflatable dinosaurs we enjoy seeing everyone dressed up each year so start planning your costume now and make sure you can skate in it!
New Year’s Eve is also a tradition! If you grew up in the area and didn’t attend one of our New Year’s Eve skates over the years you have definitely missed out!
Having your birthday party at Chagrin Valley Roller Rink is a tradition for many locals, and if you haven’t had your birthday or attended a birthday party at the rink it is never too late! In addition to kids’ parties we have also hosted a variety of adult parties of all ages!
Despite everything we have to celebrate for the past 75 years, sadly Ila Klatka also passed away this year. Ila owned the rink for 50 years from 1963 to 2013.
“This is the last skate of the evening, last skate couples. When you’re finished skating, please return your rented skates to the skate counter. Last Skate Couples.”
Don’t wait. Go Skate. Sign up for lessons, buy a pair of roller skates from us or have us refurbish your old pair. We are the only roller rink in Geauga County, and one of the few left in Northeast Ohio. Don’t let this beloved pastime, tradition and small business with so much history become history.