Hi – you might remember my face from a recent article about finding a new hobby and embracing interests. Skating is my most recent new hobby and has been such a rewarding activity. It’s great for the body and mind, but it’s so fun I don’t realize I’m exercising until I’m worn out! What I love most is that it provides an opportunity to dance anytime… and dancing on wheels is an entirely new level of fun.
Did you know about downtown Cincinnati’s indoor roller rink? This hidden gem in Over the Rhine is easily my favorite practice rink.
Located across from Findlay Market South lot at the 1710 Race St. lot, it’s only $25/year for membership ($2 for kids, and $10 for 50+) and that includes skate rentals! Current Open Skate hours are 12-2 p.m. and 5-7 p.m., Monday through Friday; Homeschool Open Skate is on Monday, Thursday, and Friday mornings 10 a.m.-12 p.m.; and the rink can be rented for only $50 for 2 hours for special events.
The rink has a handlebar around the perimeter to help with balance. The lighting effects are minimal, and the skaters control the music and volume. The lower stimulation makes it a great low-stress practice space suitable for beginners, but a favorite for the pros, too.
Before Covid, the rink saw upwards of 100 skaters for Friday evening parties, but like most things, Covid paused the rink for a bit. Now it’s open again, with smaller but growing numbers. And with growing interest, the rink is considering open skate hours on Saturdays again.
Groups such as Skate Downtown Cincy host skate parties for the public (free with CRC membership). Their next event is Saturday, Dec. 17, starting with “Yoga for Skaters” at 9 a.m., continuing into an all-ages skate at 10 a.m., and an adult skate at 11:30 a.m. The Cincinnati Skate Collective and Queen City Skates recently teamed up to host free beginner skate classes followed immediately by an open skate. Their first event was Dec. 3 at 10 a.m., with their next events on Jan. 14 and Feb. 11.
The space is known to many but new to most, and its popularity is rapidly growing.
Children and youth in the neighborhood, as well as skaters from all over the city and beyond, enjoy this space. Skating supports physical and mental health, sobriety, community, the performing arts, and more. And while skating has been around for a long time, kept well and alive mostly by our black community members, we are seeing a huge resurgence of skating culture across communities.
A downtown indoor rink is such an asset to our city. Sponsored skaters from all over the country have skated at this rink. Multiple Cincy-born and raised skaters thrived in the rinks and are now sponsored and traveling the world thanks to skating. Dylan Morton comes to mind. You may have seen him on stage with Pink at the 2022 AMAs or skating with Usher the weekend before. Just one example of the power and importance of skating for our youth!
Unfortunately, the rink downtown is under threat of being removed from the city, as current renovation plans don’t include keeping the rink. This would remove the only indoor roller rink downtown, just as skating is making a huge comeback. But all is not lost – we can show the importance of the rink and one easy way is to simply spread the word and invite others to come enjoy the rink, too.
Help us retain this historically and culturally valuable space by spreading the word and coming out to enjoy the space yourself! Thank you for your support in whatever fashion that may be!
Community comments surrounding the rink:
“I just found out about this rink not too long ago. It’s a wonderful place for the community to come together and share our love of skating with each other. It also provides the kids in the area with another fun activity to participate in, especially in the colder months. It’s truly a great outlet for everyone.” -Taylor, local skater
“The OTR CRC Rink is an important part of the skating community in Cincinnati. Not only is it the ONLY indoor skating rink in Cincinnati central, but it is also the most accessible for members of the community as it is right along a bus route. Cincinnati has a vibrant skate community, and the number of skaters is growing by the day. All ages, races, genders and bodies enjoy roller skating and now more than ever we need this rink. It is important to note that the history of roller skating is deeply rooted in Black history and culture. The Over-the-Rhine neighborhood is comprised of a resident population that is estimated to be 41% Black. It would be a massive disservice to the entire community that the OTR CRC Rink serves to get rid of this rink.” – Gabrielle, of Cincinnati Skate Collective
“This hidden gem in OTR is underutilized because it’s not adequately advertised and promoted. The skate events held there draw dozens of people of all races, ages and backgrounds, bringing the community together. Why on earth would anyone think of destroying this unique (and amazingly well-preserved) indoor rink which is part of OTR’s rich history? Sometimes, historic cultural preservation is more important than financial gain. Union terminal is a perfect example. Thank goodness people reconsidered saving that city gem. I encourage every decision maker to bring their families to the next skate event held at the OTR rink (Dec 17 btw) to really understand the magical, immersive experience of skating in a diverse, tolerant public space. Have courage and try it. I guarantee your minds will broaden.” – Kelly Johnson, Cincinnati resident
“#SaveOurRink is more than a hashtag; it’s a movement!! For many of us, the 8 wheels and the wood floor is all we have, I always look forward to skating because it brings good vibes and happiness. It’s the cheapest outlet/hobby in my personal opinion and has saved so many lives. It’s a stress reliever for many and a home for most. Brings families together, making lifetime friends!! And as a supporter, skater, and a Skate DJ in Ohio, it would hurt the area for something so great; broken apart… WE are better together! There aren’t too many things like it around… especially in the Ohio area. 2 years back we were in the pandemic from COVID 19… with that, Tik-Tok has shifted the culture and everyone was skating… celebrities, babies… you name it, and now skating is at an all-time high right now due to the pandemic which in my eyes glorified skating, because it was deemed the only thing to do. Now, it’s the only thing we want to do! #SaveOurRink” – DJ Sneaks
“As a skater of over 30 years, The OTR CRC rink aka “The Hub” is a pillar to the local OTR community. I recently discovered this rink being a native of NKY and Cincinnati. This community rink is the only indoor rink inside the city limits. This rink has recently had a resurgence over the summer after posting on Facebook about the rink.” – Will “Bub” Osborne, Cincinnati native sponsored competition jam skater
“Skaters travel several hours to skate in Cincy and are loving our skating family fashion.” – Shawn “Gemini” of Reckless Sk8rs, a local but nationally recognized skate group
“The resurgence of roller skating in recent years has finally gained attention in the mainstream, despite generations of strong underground subcultures. None arguably stronger than the subculture of underground African American roller skating. Cincinnati has an opportunity to seize on this resurgence and keep a centrally located skate rink in a Black neighborhood that has historically and continually been disenfranchised.” – Erin
“Roller skating is special in itself because most times it is an outlet for people to escape and release. Cincinnati is lucky to be home to some amazing skaters and the recreation center has been an amazing place, especially recently, for those skaters to connect. Coming from someone who has skated in Cincinnati for 10+ years, it’s so refreshing to see a rink be brought back to life and used for its intended purpose. I hope that decision-makers in this process see the amazing benefits of having a rink located in the heart of the city. It can be a turning point for kids, as skating was for me – an escape from all the struggles in my world. I hope to lead a program there one day for kids like myself. Save our rinks.” – Dylan Mortan, Cincinnati native, sponsored skater, and assistant choreographer for Disney’s “Saturdays”
Special thank you to today’s guest blogger: Marie Asbury
Independent artist and instructor; in a constant balancing act of self-care, family time, homeschooling, friendships, and professional endeavors. Embracing living my best and healthiest life, nurturing the inner child, and in return giving my best and healthiest self to my most cherished people.
Please keep the skating rink