Interskate 88 5185 State Highway 23, Oneonta, NY 13820. Sign and electronic billboard welcoming the Red Barn Roller Rink Reunion. Photo taken on June 27, 2021. Courtesy of Dead-Rinks/Mark Falso Collection.
Interskate 88 5185 State Highway 23, Oneonta, NY 13820. Photo taken on June 27, 2021. Courtesy of Dead-Rinks/Mark Falso Collection.
Interskate 88 5185 State Highway 23, Oneonta, NY 13820. Beautiful background seeing the mountains. Catskill Mountains is south and west of area in the photo. Photo taken on June 27, 2021. Courtesy of Dead-Rinks/Mark Falso Collection.
Interskate 88 5185 State Highway 23, Oneonta, NY 13820. The rules. Pretty common at all rinks. Photo taken on June 27, 2021. Courtesy of Dead-Rinks/Mark Falso Collection.
Interskate 88 5185 State Highway 23, Oneonta, NY 13820. The admission area. You walk in then pay for admission which is right before the Pro-Shop. Photo taken on June 27, 2021. Courtesy of Dead-Rinks/Mark Falso Collection.
Interskate 88 5185 State Highway 23, Oneonta, NY 13820. The Pro-Shop. Admission is just right of the photo. What is that sign with the number 0 on it when I arrived? When I left, it said to be 864 on it. Photo taken on June 27, 2021. Courtesy of Dead-Rinks/Mark Falso Collection.
Interskate 88 5185 State Highway 23, Oneonta, NY 13820. Skate rentals. Photo taken on June 27, 2021. Courtesy of Dead-Rinks/Mark Falso Collection.
Interskate 88 5185 State Highway 23, Oneonta, NY 13820. Snack bar, eat area, and dance floor in background. DJ booth is seen in background by the rink. Photo taken on June 27, 2021. Courtesy of Dead-Rinks/Mark Falso Collection.
Interskate 88 5185 State Highway 23, Oneonta, NY 13820. Snack bar. Photo taken on June 27, 2021. Courtesy of Dead-Rinks/Mark Falso Collection.
Interskate 88 5185 State Highway 23, Oneonta, NY 13820. Interesting bar stools. Sorry there are no alcohol beverages at this rink. Photo taken on June 27, 2021. Courtesy of Dead-Rinks/Mark Falso Collection.
Interskate 88 5185 State Highway 23, Oneonta, NY 13820. Lasertag entrance, fooseball table, lockers and video games. Photo taken on June 27, 2021. Courtesy of Dead-Rinks/Mark Falso Collection.
Interskate 88 5185 State Highway 23, Oneonta, NY 13820. The entrance for Lasertag. Photo taken on June 27, 2021. Courtesy of Dead-Rinks/Mark Falso Collection.
Interskate 88 5185 State Highway 23, Oneonta, NY 13820. Laser Tag equipment ready for users to play war games. Photo taken on June 27, 2021. Courtesy of Dead-Rinks/Mark Falso Collection.
Interskate 88 5185 State Highway 23, Oneonta, NY 13820. Laser Tag room. Photo taken on June 27, 2021. Courtesy of Dead-Rinks/Mark Falso Collection.
Interskate 88 5185 State Highway 23, Oneonta, NY 13820. Dance floor. Photo taken on June 27, 2021. Courtesy of Dead-Rinks/Mark Falso Collection.
Interskate 88 5185 State Highway 23, Oneonta, NY 13820. Skating rink. Photo taken on June 27, 2021. Courtesy of Dead-Rinks/Mark Falso Collection.
Interskate 88 5185 State Highway 23, Oneonta, NY 13820. In session. This was the Red Barn Roller Rink Reunion on June 27, 2021. Courtesy of Dead-Rinks/Mark Falso Collection.
Interskate 88 5185 State Highway 23, Oneonta, NY 13820. In session. This was the Red Barn Roller Rink Reunion on June 27, 2021. Courtesy of Dead-Rinks/Mark Falso Collection.
Interskate 88 Roller Rink overall score: 9.1
Interskate 88 5185 State Highway 23, Oneonta, NY 13820 is a roller rink that was operated for more than 35 years according to their website. I went to this rink upon an invitation by Red Barn Roller Rink Reunion and others related as well as the Interskate 88.
I came to this conclusion that this is one of real good rink. Best I have seen in a long time because the last time I was at a roller rink was Bilou Skating Rink in Fulton, NY and that was in April 2019. Never mind Covid situation, I was unable to skate and because of where I live, no IN-town roller rink since Sports-O-Rama closed for good in late 2000s.
Before Bilou, it was Sports-O-Rama where I last skated in my hometown area. I have skated at total of 18 different rinks in my lifetime. Interskate 88 really gave a fresh perspective at least for me and the comfort I was welcomed in by the operators, Eric, the Operator and Manager with his wife, (sorry I forgot her name and their last name!) and they are really awesome people. Real nice friendly people and I talked with them. I have never had this friendly operator since Tom who owned Empire Skates West Reboot in Baldwinsville who was my friend and we would hang out. That is the kind we had while we waited for the session to open.
When the female co-operator was coming in, I was waiting by the door to wait for opening as I thought people leaving. People were leaving the early session that had a HS graduation party for two young ladies. Yes, I did congratulated them on their graduation. Anyway, I was invited in before session was open and I was able to capture photos and it came out awesome when I took it with my phone. See above.
While I was waiting to go in by the admission. I was really impressed with their computer register that it has a tablet like so large with large font for customers to choose which package to purchase. Individual, adult, child, group, etc. Also rentals, etc. You can choose or you can tell the staff to choose what you are seeking for. I spoke with this lady who was reserving to return to skate. She said, "I just do not want to leave, I wanted to stay to skate so I am reserving to come back again!" I told her I will quote her and I sure did.
I saw how clean and how good the place is. Eric said they have a new carpet floor just 3 years prior (in 2018) and it has gray background with Red and Blue checkers. When I skated, the only problem with this new carpet I had (I admit I do have poor balance coordination most of my life and did not start to walk till age of 2.5 years which is late. I am Deaf and I have Meniere's-- Vertigo and Tinnitus.)
My problem with the carpet was when I skated off, it felt a bit harder to skate "walk" on it than I had at Sports or Empire Skates or any of the older rinks I went to. And this is a three years old carpet which I can understand it has that friction. I am sure it is fine for others but for me, it felt different. I love the pattern though which is modern and not to be like any other rinks with more wild carpet that has black light glow on it. This one does not. Interskate 88 is designed not to have too much of glow lights and the mood in there is romantic and gentle.
I love the architecture details both inside and out. The outside has Cinderblock with special design on it and part of the newer has that Steel Walled warehouse like just made for their expansion-- the Laser Tag game area.
The inside is beautiful. I love the Lime Green walls against the main three-- the Admission-Pro Shop, the Skate Rental, and the Snack Bar. The look is so modern and clean. I love those big raised letters for words, PRO SHOP, SKATE RENTALS, and SNACK BAR. The White ceiling and wall above really aided the black letters pop well.
That section appeared new and very modern with classic look on the rink side with Dark Red walls surrounded the Maple rink floor.
They have so much of "Christmas" Lights decorate as a rink light. It was in Red, White. And more Red and White. But no Green string lights. It does give that romantic feel at this rink. I love the 2000s and 2010s trends with string lights popularity and the Edison Lights strings décor as well. This rink brought that trend there. I never seen on my Dead-Rinks dead rinks profiles that has strong lights. None of that. This one does. I love it that it was soft. It does feel like romantic at anytime that I think they even had a couple session and I skated alone! I have always done that at any rink to skate not realizing it is a couple only session. Of course not they did not have any lighted sign above the rink.
The floor, being Maple, non-painted, has Roll On 2000 coating, a type of urethane coat. But I noticed and that is what Eric was telling me that they went into a situation that streaks appeared that it does look like it is unfinished. He said he will have those fixed as soon as he can considering now rinks are opened again.
The arcade games.. wow, quite loud and very bright! Since I am familiar with arcades at rinks and an arcade I used to attend quite a bit during 1980s and early 1990s, I still recall Buttons Arcade (defunct) that the way sounds were. Now, at Interskate 88, with just a very few games, it was quite louder than Buttons! I was like.. with my jaw dropped. Sure games have changed!
The laser tag area was really unique. It has that futuristic entrance and you would be facing a wall; of lighted equipment for the game. There are two colors and this means two teams. When dressed, you enter a very walled industrial like area to do laser tag.
There is a monitor above about 8 feet high but it is a little difficult to read if you have some vision. That would be me. I took picture to zoom it in but it has people names so it is not shown here.
There is a small dance floor with the starburst like lights on the floor! It has black wall but wood floor with lights on it.
Because of what I see, I am impressed with this.
Now, the scoring system has improved greatly than I began in 2019. You will see this list.
Ten (10) is best while zero (0) is worst.
Appearance of facility: 10
Exterior appearance: 10 (That 1970s feel)
Interior appearance: 10
Safety outside/inside: N/A.
Security staff: N/A.
Clear safety rules and in-house rules sign(s): 10
Smoking/Drinking environment: 10 (no alcoholic beverages. Smoking outsides-yes.
Cleanness: 10
Freshness: 9 (meaning the air freshness)
Skate Rental: 10 (reported said to be some new ones replaced old).
Friendly Admission staff: 10
Friendly staff (rental and snack bar): 10 (same as admission, they shared duties but lack of attention at admission)
Uniqueness: 10
Bathroom: 9
Cost: 9
Music: N/A. (I am Deaf! How can I know what they are playing!?)
Availability: N/A. (for using anything)
Advertising: 8 (on the wall) I came in and did not realize it was on the left wall. Who else in front of me in line?
Size: 10 (of facility)
Size of Rink and floor. 10 Material: Maple, Non-painted, Roll-On 2000 coated, 73' x 160', Fan layout.
Quality of Rink and floor: 9
Floor Guards availability and doing work: N/A.
Management friendliness: 10
Arcade functioning: 9 Too loud!
Disco lights Display/working: 9 (some blubs missing on older on wall lights, string lights excellent).
Style of lighting: 9
Décor age-ness: 9 (besides new carpet, and the sections such as snack bar, etc, are a 10, the rest felt older).
Location: 9 (because it was not in the center of all more busy business part of the road, just half mile from Walmart and other main businesses on their "boulevard". Gas station cross street looked pretty dead too. Busier on other side of Walmart. Fast food restaurants, all are 1/2 mile or further West of rink, takes more walking to/from.
TOTAL: 209 points.
23 out of 28 assessments.
Average is 9.1
The Stats:
Rink Size: 72' x 160' Floor: Non-painted Roll-on 2000, Maple. Floor Layout: Fan.
Building Size: (original) 20,000 SF, (expansion) 23,000 SF. Built/Expansion: 1975/2010s.
Demolished: Still standing
Type of Building: Free-Span Steel Trusses Steel and Cinderblocks-Walled Convention Center - like Building.
Roof: Gable.
Acres: N/A.
Operated: (Overall)-- c. 1975 to present.
Reason for Closure: Still operational.
Wanted: Information regarding exact dates of open/closed, why closed, size of rink, rink materials. Also photos. Anyone knows or have photos, please let me know by emailing at [email protected]. Thank you.
Sources: Personal.
Date of issue: 29 June 2021.
For office use only: 18p.
© Copyrighted by Dead-Rinks. All Rights Reserved. Jn 3:3 and 16.
I came to this conclusion that this is one of real good rink. Best I have seen in a long time because the last time I was at a roller rink was Bilou Skating Rink in Fulton, NY and that was in April 2019. Never mind Covid situation, I was unable to skate and because of where I live, no IN-town roller rink since Sports-O-Rama closed for good in late 2000s.
Before Bilou, it was Sports-O-Rama where I last skated in my hometown area. I have skated at total of 18 different rinks in my lifetime. Interskate 88 really gave a fresh perspective at least for me and the comfort I was welcomed in by the operators, Eric, the Operator and Manager with his wife, (sorry I forgot her name and their last name!) and they are really awesome people. Real nice friendly people and I talked with them. I have never had this friendly operator since Tom who owned Empire Skates West Reboot in Baldwinsville who was my friend and we would hang out. That is the kind we had while we waited for the session to open.
When the female co-operator was coming in, I was waiting by the door to wait for opening as I thought people leaving. People were leaving the early session that had a HS graduation party for two young ladies. Yes, I did congratulated them on their graduation. Anyway, I was invited in before session was open and I was able to capture photos and it came out awesome when I took it with my phone. See above.
While I was waiting to go in by the admission. I was really impressed with their computer register that it has a tablet like so large with large font for customers to choose which package to purchase. Individual, adult, child, group, etc. Also rentals, etc. You can choose or you can tell the staff to choose what you are seeking for. I spoke with this lady who was reserving to return to skate. She said, "I just do not want to leave, I wanted to stay to skate so I am reserving to come back again!" I told her I will quote her and I sure did.
I saw how clean and how good the place is. Eric said they have a new carpet floor just 3 years prior (in 2018) and it has gray background with Red and Blue checkers. When I skated, the only problem with this new carpet I had (I admit I do have poor balance coordination most of my life and did not start to walk till age of 2.5 years which is late. I am Deaf and I have Meniere's-- Vertigo and Tinnitus.)
My problem with the carpet was when I skated off, it felt a bit harder to skate "walk" on it than I had at Sports or Empire Skates or any of the older rinks I went to. And this is a three years old carpet which I can understand it has that friction. I am sure it is fine for others but for me, it felt different. I love the pattern though which is modern and not to be like any other rinks with more wild carpet that has black light glow on it. This one does not. Interskate 88 is designed not to have too much of glow lights and the mood in there is romantic and gentle.
I love the architecture details both inside and out. The outside has Cinderblock with special design on it and part of the newer has that Steel Walled warehouse like just made for their expansion-- the Laser Tag game area.
The inside is beautiful. I love the Lime Green walls against the main three-- the Admission-Pro Shop, the Skate Rental, and the Snack Bar. The look is so modern and clean. I love those big raised letters for words, PRO SHOP, SKATE RENTALS, and SNACK BAR. The White ceiling and wall above really aided the black letters pop well.
That section appeared new and very modern with classic look on the rink side with Dark Red walls surrounded the Maple rink floor.
They have so much of "Christmas" Lights decorate as a rink light. It was in Red, White. And more Red and White. But no Green string lights. It does give that romantic feel at this rink. I love the 2000s and 2010s trends with string lights popularity and the Edison Lights strings décor as well. This rink brought that trend there. I never seen on my Dead-Rinks dead rinks profiles that has strong lights. None of that. This one does. I love it that it was soft. It does feel like romantic at anytime that I think they even had a couple session and I skated alone! I have always done that at any rink to skate not realizing it is a couple only session. Of course not they did not have any lighted sign above the rink.
The floor, being Maple, non-painted, has Roll On 2000 coating, a type of urethane coat. But I noticed and that is what Eric was telling me that they went into a situation that streaks appeared that it does look like it is unfinished. He said he will have those fixed as soon as he can considering now rinks are opened again.
The arcade games.. wow, quite loud and very bright! Since I am familiar with arcades at rinks and an arcade I used to attend quite a bit during 1980s and early 1990s, I still recall Buttons Arcade (defunct) that the way sounds were. Now, at Interskate 88, with just a very few games, it was quite louder than Buttons! I was like.. with my jaw dropped. Sure games have changed!
The laser tag area was really unique. It has that futuristic entrance and you would be facing a wall; of lighted equipment for the game. There are two colors and this means two teams. When dressed, you enter a very walled industrial like area to do laser tag.
There is a monitor above about 8 feet high but it is a little difficult to read if you have some vision. That would be me. I took picture to zoom it in but it has people names so it is not shown here.
There is a small dance floor with the starburst like lights on the floor! It has black wall but wood floor with lights on it.
Because of what I see, I am impressed with this.
Now, the scoring system has improved greatly than I began in 2019. You will see this list.
Ten (10) is best while zero (0) is worst.
Appearance of facility: 10
Exterior appearance: 10 (That 1970s feel)
Interior appearance: 10
Safety outside/inside: N/A.
Security staff: N/A.
Clear safety rules and in-house rules sign(s): 10
Smoking/Drinking environment: 10 (no alcoholic beverages. Smoking outsides-yes.
Cleanness: 10
Freshness: 9 (meaning the air freshness)
Skate Rental: 10 (reported said to be some new ones replaced old).
Friendly Admission staff: 10
Friendly staff (rental and snack bar): 10 (same as admission, they shared duties but lack of attention at admission)
Uniqueness: 10
Bathroom: 9
Cost: 9
Music: N/A. (I am Deaf! How can I know what they are playing!?)
Availability: N/A. (for using anything)
Advertising: 8 (on the wall) I came in and did not realize it was on the left wall. Who else in front of me in line?
Size: 10 (of facility)
Size of Rink and floor. 10 Material: Maple, Non-painted, Roll-On 2000 coated, 73' x 160', Fan layout.
Quality of Rink and floor: 9
Floor Guards availability and doing work: N/A.
Management friendliness: 10
Arcade functioning: 9 Too loud!
Disco lights Display/working: 9 (some blubs missing on older on wall lights, string lights excellent).
Style of lighting: 9
Décor age-ness: 9 (besides new carpet, and the sections such as snack bar, etc, are a 10, the rest felt older).
Location: 9 (because it was not in the center of all more busy business part of the road, just half mile from Walmart and other main businesses on their "boulevard". Gas station cross street looked pretty dead too. Busier on other side of Walmart. Fast food restaurants, all are 1/2 mile or further West of rink, takes more walking to/from.
TOTAL: 209 points.
23 out of 28 assessments.
Average is 9.1
The Stats:
Rink Size: 72' x 160' Floor: Non-painted Roll-on 2000, Maple. Floor Layout: Fan.
Building Size: (original) 20,000 SF, (expansion) 23,000 SF. Built/Expansion: 1975/2010s.
Demolished: Still standing
Type of Building: Free-Span Steel Trusses Steel and Cinderblocks-Walled Convention Center - like Building.
Roof: Gable.
Acres: N/A.
Operated: (Overall)-- c. 1975 to present.
Reason for Closure: Still operational.
Wanted: Information regarding exact dates of open/closed, why closed, size of rink, rink materials. Also photos. Anyone knows or have photos, please let me know by emailing at [email protected]. Thank you.
Sources: Personal.
Date of issue: 29 June 2021.
For office use only: 18p.
© Copyrighted by Dead-Rinks. All Rights Reserved. Jn 3:3 and 16.