I was in the 6th grade in 1991, and have vivid memories of clinging to the carpeted wall of the roller rink, doing my best to stay upright as boys and girls whizzed by me on their skates in what seemed like an effortless embodiment of happiness.

partial view of parents and kids skating on roller rink together
LightFieldStudios
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Every roller rink seemed to have the same thing: a rockin' DJ, an arcade full of cool games, and throngs of tweens and teens circling the floor working up an appetite for pizza, soda, and milkshakes.

partial view of woman in white high socks and retro roller skates
LightFieldStudios
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For many of us, memories from our childhood were made during afternoons and evenings spent at places like Happy Wheels, Great Skates, and Skate Scene. The last of these rinks closed up shop in 2016, and aside from ice skating, there's nowhere else around to rollerskate.

A pair of roller-skates off center with rows of skated in the background.
TMRoberts
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That's why I was intrigued when a friend mentioned he was looking into the viability of opening a roller rink and told me about his vision.

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Having kids of my own now, and remembering what great times I had (even if I couldn't skate well) at roller rinks, I think giving my kids that experience would be cool. The idea of providing families another place to go where they could be active (tucker their kids out so that they'll sleep well at night) is also very appealing.

girl with roller skates
Xavier Gallego
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Not to mention the concept of creating skating leagues, hosting roller-derby events, and special night-time glow skates! The possibilities are there, but is the interest.

That's what I want to know: what do you think about a roller rink opening in the Greater Bangor area? Would you go?

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