Family Tradition Helps Owner Of Rink To Get Up And Rolling

Jerry Hughes knows roller skating. As a youngster, he worked in his father’s Midwestern rinks, and now the 38-year-old man operates his own, Valley Sports Arena in Otis Orchards.

Colleen Bernstein, Hughes’ 37-year-old sister, also knows roller skating. She too worked in her father’s rinks and now is part-owner of Roller Valley Skate Center on Dishman-Mica Road.

“Growing up, rather than hiring help, we all had to work in the rinks,” said Bernstein. “Mom and Dad taught us all the phases of the business.” “That is how we learned it all,” said Hughes.

Hughes said his sister has told him that she’s not happy about his decision to open a second rink in the Valley.

But, when asked, Bernstein said she thinks it’s wonderful that her entire family is in the same line of business. (Their brothers, Leo and Tony Hughes, operate Puget Sound Skate Center in Tacoma.) “Competition is always healthy,” Bernstein said.

Hughes said he thinks he’ll draw skaters from a different area, so he’s not too worried about cutting into his sister’s business.

“There’s nothing out here,” said Hughes. “Nothing for people to do from Post Falls to here. People have to drive all the way to Coeur d’Alene or Spokane for movies or anything.”

More than 10 years in the making, Valley Sports Arena finally opened on Dec. 26.

Hughes bought the land on which the arena is built in 1986, while he was owner and operator of Roller Valley Skate - which was originally named Skatetown and owned by Hughes’ father, Jim. In 1993, he sold that rink back to his father. His sister became her father’s partner at Roller Valley that same year.

There were a few land-use problems Hughes needed to deal with before building the arena in Otis Orchards. Some neighbors opposed the project. Eventually, he was able to get approval for his building, which he first used for boat and RV storage.

Money was also a factor in delaying the project, but last August Hughes got a loan to pay for remodeling of the building.

The 15,000-square-foot arena has an indoor soccer field, three volleyball courts, an epoxy-finish, roller hockey rink - all of which convert to a dance floor for schools and youth groups.

“The younger kids, they want to dance and have fun and there’s no place for them to go,” said Hughes. “This gives them a safe avenue to have fun and to make money for their school or youth group.”

Valley Sports Arena even is home to a bit of nostalgia. Aside from the 1950s-themed decor, some of the seats and columns in the building are from the “Boone Street Barn,” the old Coliseum downtown.

“I think a lot of people relate to that era as a good time, when the nation was prosperous, when times were good,” said Hughes.

Right now, adult and youth hockey leagues use the rink. Hughes said he has received queries about hosting dart leagues and gymnastic tournaments.

Though business is slow, he said he’s just happy to be a part of a family tradition once again.

“Right now, it’s hard,” said Hughes. “But a year from now, I think I’ll be booked solid.”

, DataTimes