After weeks of silence and darkened lights, the sound of wheels on hardwood returned to Dreamland Skate Center on Friday, May 22, as the Mobile skating rink welcomed skaters back under Governor Kay Ivey’s updated safer-at-home order.
Owner Mike Finlen said the rink had been poised to reopen for a while. “I would’ve liked to have had more time, but we were ready,” he said. “We’ve been waiting for two or three weeks ready to go.”
Like many local operators, Finlen admitted reopening brought mixed feelings after months of lost revenue. “Still worried about the financial side of it — now I’m anxious, does tonight go well?” he said. “But I think everybody will have a good time as long as everybody works with us. It’s all a group effort.”
New Rules at the Rink
Skaters noticed some changes on opening night. Every guest now has their temperature checked at the door — beyond what’s mandated for employees — and plastic shields have been installed at the snack bar and skate room.
While the governor’s order allows entertainment venues to operate at 50 percent capacity, Dreamland went further, capping its first night at just 150 people, roughly 15 percent of normal occupancy. Floor markings every six feet, removed tables and benches round out the changes, giving skaters extra room to spread out.