Sunrise Rollerland is located at 6001 Sunrise Vista Drive in Citrus Heights. // CH Sentinel
By Mike Hazlip—
With the exception of a few days in June, Sunrise Rollerland in Citrus Heights has been closed for the past year, as COVID-19 health orders have prevented roller skating rinks in the state from reopening.
A fundraising account set up to help Sunrise Rollerland owner Ken Neutz meet his financial obligations has collected over $5,000 as of press time Saturday night. The GoFundMe page was set up by skater Tim Laskey to benefit Sunrise Rollerland and Neutz’s efforts to keep the Citrus Heights tradition rolling.
Neutz told The Sentinel in an interview Friday the pandemic closures have taken a toll on his business, with his roller rink still not allowed to reopen in the less-restrictive “Red Tier.”
He says water and electric bills must still be paid, despite the forced closure of his facility. As an added problem, Neutz said he’s had to deal with illegal dumping and an increasing homeless population on his property.
“This has been my life for the last twelve months, just cleaning up junk and garbage,” Neutz said. “Now I’m getting back to work hopefully to get some employees and get opened up again.”
Neutz has now installed a sound system to discourage homeless camping on his property.
He said the state’s guidelines are unclear about roller rinks, and he believes decision-makers at the state level are not considering businesses like Sunrise Rollerland.
Neutz, together with 20 other roller rinks and what he called “other interested parties,” such as skate manufacturers throughout California, each paid $1,000 for a lobbyist to convince policy makers with the Department of Health to classify roller rinks in the orange tier along with bowling alleys. But those efforts have been unsuccessful so far, he said.
The small business owner said he’s considering rebranding his facility to emphasize the health and fitness benefits of roller skating in an effort to reopen under the state’s gyms and fitness center classification. The Roller Skating Association reports one hour of skating will increase heart rate, burn calories, and work major muscle groups.
Facilities like Sunrise Rollerland are classified as fitness and recreation centers in the North American Industry Classification System, according to Neutz. This system is used by federal agencies to classify businesses and collect data, according to the Census Bureau.
A Sentinel search for the terms “roller skating,” “skating,” and “roller rink” on the state’s COVID-19 dashboard returned a message that read “activity or business not found.” The terms “bowling alleys,” “skate park,” and “family entertainment centers” did bring up information specific to those activities, however.
For Neutz, he is hoping to reopen soon, but is facing the added challenge of recruiting new employees to fill the vacancies left when he was forced to lay off his staff. Sunrise Rollerland employed about 30 people, according to Neutz, and he says the good ones have moved on.
Sunrise Rollerland is located at 6001 Sunrise Vista Drive in Citrus Heights. // CH Sentinel
By Mike Hazlip– Sunrise Rollerland, the nearly 50-year-old roller skating rink near Sunrise Mall, opened June 14, nearly three months since COVID-19 stay-at-home orders took effect.
While similar facilities such as bars and gyms have been given the go-ahead to reopen by county officials, social media posts by Sunrise Rollerland show the family owned business was initially left wondering when the rink would be allowed to reopen.
“Anyone want to help out and implore the Politicians to re-open Roller skating rinks in California,” owner Ken Neutz said in a statement on social media last week. “They are opening all over the country, but not here. Nobody in charge will give us a date.”
A previous post on June 6 announced a tentative reopening date of June 12, but was soon deleted by the business.
Neutz asked his patrons on social media to help by contacting Gov. Gavin Newsom, California Department of Public Health, Assemblymember Ken Cooley, Senator Jim Nielsen, and Citrus Heights Mayor Jeff Slowey. He listed email addresses for each official.
“Gyms are not safer than a skating rink,” he said. “Gyms, bars and wineries have lobbyists, we have you… our skating family.”
The roller rink later announced the following day they would be reopening June 14 at noon, with a limit of 100 customers in the building per session, along with other safety guidelines in place.
On June 12, Sacramento County issued an amended public health order to relax restrictions for more businesses to reopen. The announcement said the state approved Sacramento County’s Variance Attestation May 20.
The variance lists bars and wineries, hotels, campgrounds, gyms and fitness facilities, pools, museums, movie theaters, and casinos are now allowed to reopen. Businesses must have a policy for face coverings, and follow social distancing guidelines.
Diane Pyle, assistant general manager, stands in front of her Sunrise Rollerland. // Thomas J. Sullivan
By Thomas J. Sullivan– Sunrise Rollerland is one of those special places in Citrus Heights where, for skaters young and old, time feels like it has stood still.
Once inside, the medieval-themed Sunrise Rollerland at 6001 Sunrise Vista Drive, you wouldn’t think that much has changed since 1973 when its original owner Lloyd Neutz opened its doors.
“That was always part of Lloyd’s plan,” said Diane Pyle, the skating rink’s, assistant general manager. “He always wanted it to feel like home.”
Today, Lloyd’s son, Ken, and his wife Kathy keep Sunrise Rollerland in the Neutz family. “Both of their children work here,” Pyle said.
Pyle, a
graduate of San Juan High School, managed Sunrise Rollerland from 1987 to 2000
and then came back to work 17 years later in July 2017 as its assistant general
manager.
Diane Pyle, assistant general manager of Sunrise Rollerland. // Thomas J. Sullivan
Sunrise Rollerland has two full-time staff, and up to 22 part-time workers during winter and spring months.
Subtle changes
are evident throughout Sunrise Rollerland. Modern overhead lighting, still with
a medieval theme, has replaced older fixtures. A new snack bar was installed a
few years ago, and carpeting is replaced on a regular basis. A large,
wall-length original mural at the end of the skate floor remains bright and
vibrant as it was in 1973.
Pyle wasn’t long out of high school when she started work at Sunrise Rollerland.
“It’s a rewarding job for a lot of our younger, first-time employees,” she told The Sentinel. “While it’s generally a fun work environment, it does teach them a very real work ethic.”
In early morning hours on a recent Thursday, a regular group of adult male and female skaters glide effortlessly across its wooden floor, as they did when they were younger.
Some are
members of Sunrise Rollerland’s artistic team, the Sunrise Crusaders. Members
of the speed team, some 35 in all, Triad Racing, compete in speed, strength and
stamina.
The facility’s original, high-gloss, northern hard rock maple floor, which measures 93 by 187 feet around, is in beautiful condition and refinished regularly. The facility also features a complete pro shop.
Pyle said she moved to Citrus Heights in 1977 from Foothill Farms and recalls when Sunrise Mall was first being built in the early ’70s. “I grew up skating here,” she said.
The 1970s was a
heyday for roller skating, Pyle remembers. “There were more than seven roller
rinks like ours in the greater Sacramento area, and now there are five of us
left,” she said.
Eric Adams, maintenance manager, said it’s a never-ending job to keep the facility in top shape. The floor is resurfaced once a year, and safety and cleanliness throughout the facility is his constant concern. On Fridays, Sunrise Rollerland is closed to the public until 4 p.m. for general maintenance, Adams said.
“We’re always changing and always improving,” Pyle said. “We stock about 800 pairs of skates for rental, and many of these are replaced regularly, due to wear and tear. Inspection and servicing our skates is, for us, an ongoing process.”
The condition
of Sunrise Rollerland’s wooden floor has also made it an ideal testing ground
for roller skate product manufacturers and wheel testing, Adams said. “We’re
constantly getting requests for that purpose and it’s a testament to the
quality of our skating floor.”
Sunrise Rollerland’s wooden floor is resurfaced once a year. // Thomas J. Sullivan
As it did when
it first opened in 1973, customers are reminded as they enter that Sunrise
Rollerland remains dedicated to “provide our Citrus Heights community with the
finest facility in which to enjoy the spirit of roller skating for good
fellowship and wholesome recreation.”
“There was a resurgence of interest in the ‘90s with the popularity of in-line skating,” Pyle said. “Today, it’s starting to pick up again, as a generation of parents who were active skaters in the ‘80s are re-introducing their children and their grandchildren to the fun of skating. It’s ‘old school fun.’”
Skating is at
the customer’s own risk, Pyle said. Standards of dress and attire expected of
all skaters. Neatness of dress and person is expected of every skater.
Revealing clothing and bare midriff, frayed hems, bare feet, hats, headphones
and laser pointers are prohibited, according to a customer brochure.
All pants must
be hemmed, and a no smoking and no gum-chewing rule is enforced throughout the
facility to protect carpets and flooring.
In addition,
skaters are reminded that toe stops, and toe plugs must be worn and all
personal skates which are worn must have flush wheel hardware.
Sunrise
Rollerland offers professional instruction, group rates, family night rates,
catered birthday parties, class instruction, artistic and speed classes,
special holiday sessions and super kid’s sessions.
Three different birthday party packages, a King Arthur “Ultimate” Party, a Camelot Party and a Royal Party are also popular and can be booked through the skating rink’s web site.
The cost of admission for an afternoon skate session is $9, an evening session is $9.50 and an extra session outside of regular time is $3. The cost to rent regular skates is $4 and inline skates are $5. Skate rental for children under age five is $5. Group rates are also offered.
Sunrise Rollerland offers beginning skating classes on Wednesday mornings from 9:30 to 10 a.m., Thursday afternoon from 3:30 to 4 p.m. and Saturday mornings from 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. for $10 per session. Private lessons are available by appointment from coaches who are certified by USA Roller Sports.
Sunrise Rollerland is located at 6001 Sunrise Vista Drive, behind Sunrise Mall in Citrus Heights. Additional information can be found online at www.sunriserollerland.com.
