VALarena roller rink fans pitch in to raise money so North Apollo mainstay can reopen

While the VALarena roller rink in North Apollo paused their reopening this month, some loyal customers have raised more than $3,200 to help the cash-strapped, nostalgic icon reopen.

For more than 70 years, generations have laced up for skating sessions in the cozy rink with the same snack bar that still draws a crowd.

Pandemic restrictions closed the rink’s doors about 10 months ago.

Working on building repairs and improvements at the rink, owners Fred and Debra Knepshield of Kiski Township didn’t reopen in January as they had planned.

Renovation costs, including a new roof, repairs and other costs associated with opening up tally about $5,000 to $6,000, then another $5,000 will be needed in the summer to renovate the rink floor.

“You just can’t flip a switch to start running again,” Fred Knepshield said. There are expenses and practicalities such as limiting skate rentals because of the time required to sanitize them to meet pandemic health standards between skating sessions.

After the couple posted the delay in the rink’s reopening last month on the VALarena’s Facebook page, fans got to work and started two GoFundMe fundraising campaigns.

“Both of us were surprised in a way with the response we got when we posted the update,” Knepshield said. “It’s heartwarming that people are paying attention and are interested in seeing us open.”

Both campaigns are legitimate, he said.

The “Valarena Roller Rink Reopening” GoFundMe page had raised $2,770 as of Thursday afternoon with a $5,000 goal.

Cris Kostiuk, president of the Apollo-Ridge Education Foundation, said of her donation: “The VALarena was a safe, friendly place for my boys to ‘spread their wings’ when they were too young to be left on their own. The roller hockey league hosted by the VALarena was the very best team sport experience for so many kids in the A-K Valley.”

The “Help Open The Valarena” GoFundMe page had raised $470 as of Thursday afternoon with a $5,000 goal. The organizer of that page, Deneen Legarsky, wrote: “The Valarena is one of the only forms of entertainment for the kids and the young at heart. I know times are hard on us all. Let’s see if we can pull together and get the Rink Open and Running Again.”

Knepshield said he will post details of reopening on the rink’s Facebook this month.