“It Smells New”: Durham’s Revamped Wheels Roller Skating Rink is a Blast from the Past

View This Email In Your Browser

Good morning, readers.

Durham’s beloved Wheels roller skating rink is back.

The renovation, which came after the rink closed in 2020 with the retirement of its longtime owners, is disorienting in the best way possible—it’s like somebody took my childhood memories, ran them through the wash, and handed them back pristine. Everything looks like it always has, but new: there’s a bright patterned carpet with colorful stars and swirls, disco balls hanging from the ceiling, the same layout of snack bar and birthday party tables, the same DJ booth pumping Usher and Missy Elliot. 

The revival of the iconic Durham institution wasn’t a given. When the original owners closed up shop after 40 years, the city purchased the property with plans to build an aquatic center, not initially intending to keep the roller rink. But residents rallied, showing up to city council meetings to argue that Wheels wasn’t just worth keeping because of the nostalgia—it advances community safety by providing recreation for youth in areas where such spaces are limited. 

Their advocacy worked, and now United Skates of America operates the rink while Durham moves forward with the $43 million aquatic center (funded by a recent bond referendum) on another part of the property.

At the grand reopening of the rink last week, more than 100 people gathered in the rain to witness the ribbon-cutting ceremony before heading inside to glide across the buttery-smooth floor.

“When you’re a kid, Christmas or your birthday would never come quick enough. I think the same is true here for Wheels,” said Durham Parks and Recreation Director Wade Walcutt.

Read the full story here to learn what happened to the massive play structure from the original Wheels and why one woman couldn’t stop saying “Oh my god” at the entrance.

Have a good Tuesday.

 —Lena

---

Durham

After reducing bus service for some students, Durham Public Schools says all current routes are covered. Schools officials, though, are hesitant to say how many bus drivers would be needed to reverse service cuts, INDY’s Chase Pellegrini de Paur reports.

Wake

The Wake County school board is considering adding their support to legal action against PowerSchool, following a breach of hundreds of thousands of current and former teachers’ social security numbers, as well as student information, WRAL reports.

Orange

Friendly Barber Shop in Carrboro is closing after 64 years, The Daily Tar Heel reports. The shop housed UNC and other memorabilia.

North Carolina

After President Trump and Vice President Vance berated Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky last week, WUNC took a look at where each member of North Carolina’s congressional delegation stands on Ukraine.

---

If you’d like to advertise your business to the Daily’s 30,000-plus subscribers, please contact [email protected]

---