Atlantic City Skate Zone to Remain Open
The building was previously controlled by the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, through a lease agreement. The CRDA then subleased the property to Comcast who hired a different company to run the day-to-day operations as the Flyers Skate Zone.
ATLANTIC CITY — Atlantic City Skate Zone is safe — for now.
Mayor Marty Small Sr. said on Wednesday April 26 that the ice-skating rink, formerly operated as Flyers Skate Zone at Bader Field, would remain open for as long as the city owns the property.
The City of Atlantic City signed a memorandum of understanding with DEEM Enterprises, LLC on March 23, essentially giving the developer six months to complete due diligence and decide whether to move forward with a $2.7 billion project that would transform Bader Field into a high-end residential and commercial development centered around an auto racetrack.
“I don’t know if it will be one year, two year, or five years, but I’m making a commitment as mayor,” said Small. “My administration and I, within reason, will make sure these lights stay on, that we, to the best of our ability, fix all of the ill wills this building has had.”
Small held a news conference inside the building to make the announcement.
The building was previously controlled by the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, through a lease agreement. The CRDA then subleased the property to Comcast who hired a different company to run the day-to-day operations as the Flyers Skate Zone.
Once that agreement ended in April 2022, the building reverted to the city.
“What the city inherited was an as-is building,” Small said, “problems with the roof, problems with other areas in this building.”
Small has said that he thought about turning it into a roller-skating rink but has opted not to change its use.
In 2022, Skate Zone brought in $309,901 in revenue, but racked up $463,101 in expenses for a loss of $153,200. To date in 2023, Skate Zone has generated $208,991 with only $96,205 in expenses for a profit of $112,786.
“We have a great group of volunteers and workers who are constantly out there trying to bring additional business into the Skate Zone,” said the city’s Chief Financial Officer Toro Aboderin. “So, I’m hopeful that 2023 will paint a different picture.”
Small said the city’s Grants Administrator Jim Rutala would look for additional funding to help make the facility more sustainable.
Open public skate sessions will continue on Friday nights at skate zone.
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To see the news conference in its entirety click the link below.
https://boxcast.tv/view/mayors-press-conference-skate-zone-042623-xrfwkjpcffjvbkkvzqca
