Skateland roller rink requesting alcohol permit while community fights against it

INDIANAPOLIS — A popular rolling rink on Indy’s northwest side wants a beer and wine permit.

Skateland is looking for opportunities to expand its business and be able to serve its adults alcoholic beverages.

“We get a lot of parents that come in for birthday parties, and they’re there with their kids and a lot of times they ask us if we serve beer,” said James Wilson, GM of Skateland. “They like to have beer with some of our cafe menu items while they’re watching the sports games on Saturdays and Sundays. So that’s where the idea came from.”

In a meeting held by the skating rink, community members, along with IMPD, gathered to hear Skateland’s proposal for getting their beer and wine permit. If obtained, the rink would be able to serve drinks like seltzers and beer. The roller skating rink wants to meet customer demand, but the community sees it differently.

“There’s enough alcohol flowing in this city, let alone our community so we don’t need any more,” said Mary Clark, a concerned community member.

Other members echoed that same message.

“Skating is a family event and that does not equal bringing in alcohol,” said Donna Forbes. “You’re introducing our young people into a situation they don’t need to be involved in, they’re going to the rink to have fun.”

The rink believes the trouble they’ve had is in the past. They are under new ownership with Wilson and have redone the inside to reflect the community. Wilson mentioned that while they host birthday parties, they also host numerous events each month that the community can come to and be a part of.

IMPD was also at the meeting, and they, along with the community, shared concerns about safety and youth exposure to alcohol.

Just this year, police have been called to Skateland to break up two large fights, once in March and the other in June. That alone gives IMPD pause for the business to get its permit.

“I think the history itself and the two disturbances we had this year, I think introducing alcohol into that atmosphere could cause us similar types of situations,” said IMPD Captain William Carter.

No decision has been made on Skateland obtaining its permit.