Albuquerque Rink Secures Insurance After Closure Fears

Between 100,000 and 200,000 people visit Skate-O-Mania in Albuquerque each year, and the rink will keep its doors open for at least another 12 months. The venue nearly shut down by the end of 2026 because of insurance concerns, but the owners announced on Tuesday that they have secured coverage for the coming year.

Courtney Ballew, an owner of the facility, provided those annual visitor estimates. The business first opened in 1980 under the name Roller King. It has served as a social hub for generations of locals in the city. The venue also gained national attention when it appeared as a backdrop in the Netflix series Stranger Things.

The owners initially indicated they might be forced to close by the end of the year. They cited difficulties in finding affordable insurance as the primary obstacle. On Tuesday, they used social media to update the public on the situation. They stated that a new insurance provider was found after community support surged.

In a statement, the owners said, “We can’t express how much your support has meant to us.” They noted that when they first shared the possibility of closing, residents called and shared the story. They added that locals offered connections and reminded the team how important the rink is to the community.

The owners credited local news outlets for spreading the word. They also mentioned that state senators reached out to offer help. Ballew said the team now has one year of coverage. They plan to use this time to find a more lasting solution. The goal is to keep the business operating for decades to come.