NORTH CHARLESTON — It’s not too late to skate. The city rolled out an outdoor skating rink as part of its new $25 million sports complex at the site of the former Danny Jones Recreation Center.
Roller skating rinks are a distant memory for those living in the tri-county area — the disco ball hanging in the middle of a wooden rink, the combined smell of popcorn and musty skate rentals, the loud sing-along music. The last indoor skating rink in the region, Music in Motion in Summerville, closed its doors in 2022. Decades earlier, starting in the 1950s, Skateland operated for a spell at 1056 King St. in Charleston.
The new outdoor skating rink in the Park Circle area offers a different experience than the nostalgic evenings at the roller rink. The main purpose of the venue is to support activities such as roller derby, hockey and dancing, and to promote outdoor exercise.
“To be able to skate outside in the sunshine is like music to my ears; it’s gonna be so much fun,” said Lisa Ray, a member of the roller derby team Lowcountry Highrollers.
Finding a flat, open space to skate has remained a challenge for members of the roller derby team. Some have resorted to going to skate parks in the Charleston area, but those can be unsafe or crowded. Plus, they don’t offer the same experience as a rink.
“I’m so excited there’s a dedicated place to skate,” said Kelsea McGrogan, who has been on the Lowcountry Highrollers team for two years.
The former Danny Jones Recreation Center had an outdoor skating rink that was cracked, polluted and outdated, said Recreation Director TJ Rostin. The decision to construct a new one came out of public input during the planning process for the new complex.
“Places for them to do roller sports are few and far between,” Rostin said. “We’re happy that here in North Charleston we have a place to provide them with that.”
Aside from the skating rink, the North Charleston Sports Complex features five outdoor tennis courts and a multi-purpose field to support the city’s athletic programs. Inside, there’s a gymnasium and 25-meter competitive swimming pool.
“It’s a facility that’s been a staple in this community for the last 52 years,” Rostin said. “We know that there were a lot of old memories made here in the old building and we’re hoping that new memories are made here.”
Mayor Reggie Burgess, who played sports at the old rec center at this site, said that facility was a “bridge over troubled waters” for him where he learned teamwork and built character. He hopes the new facility will offer the same experience to children in the area.
All of the outdated amenities of the Danny Jones Recreation Center have been replaced with modern ones, except the running track. Despite efforts from local running groups several years ago, the track was demolished with no plans for a new one at the site.
The new facility on Monitor Street is another recent recreation investment in the Park Circle area. Just down the road, the inclusive playground in the center of Park Circle opened in November that includes a baseball field, farmers market pavilion, community building and green space with walking paths.
The sports complex is free for the public to use, but the pool requires a daily $5 admission fee for adults, with discounts for children, seniors, military and college students. Monthly and yearly membership options are available.
The North Charleston Sports Complex officially opens to the public April 1. The outdoor amenities, including the tennis courts and roller skating rink, currently are open for use.
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