If the phrase “couple skate” means anything to you, or you know what moves “rexing,” “dipping” and “scissors” refer to, you might be a child of the roller skating era, which never really went away. 

This week marks a welcome return to the Lexington area of a landmark roller skating venue that closed two years ago due to pandemic-related issues after a 33-year run. The former Skate Station USA on Oak Drive beside the Barnyard Flea Market is now Sports & Skate Station, sporting a newly refurbished, renovated look and many more additional attractions than the original business.

Skate Station USA opened back in 1987, and it remained a popular family destination until its untimely closing. The Columbia Quad Squad roller derby team used it as their practice space and hosted competitions there. Onetime local musician Hannah Miller, now a Nashville songwriter, filmed a music video at the rink. Chances are if you grew up in Lexington or West Columbia, you either had a birthday party there, or you attended one hosted by a friend.

The new owners are aiming to continue that diverse use and make it a family destination for new generations of kids and their parents while expanding what it means to be a modern roller skating facility.

Columbia resident Steve Ware, owner of River's Edge Retreat, a local conference and camp facility, and Game Changers, a Christian-based nonprofit summer education and sports program for children, is the new proprietor, and he sees the Sports & Skate Station as an extension of what he is already doing with those endeavors.

“Our goal is to not only provide a family-centered, fun environment for our customers but to expand our work with children in the community,” Ware said. 

New features that have been added include batting cages, basketball and an indoor golf driving range. The rebranded facility is already booking birthdays, private parties, special events and planning the return of roller derby as well.

Food and drinks are available, along with arcade games, inflatables for the kids and more. 

If you just want to roller skate, the schedule offers plentiful  opportunities to do so, including family skate times, a teens-only night and Adult Night Sessions for 18 and up only.

A grand re-opening is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 13, from 6 to 9 p.m., and it will include DJs, skating competitions and other surprises. To celebrate the reopening and acknowledge the history of the rink, anyone attending who was born in 1987 or earlier can enter a raffle for prizes. 

Sports & Skate Station’s complete hours for operation:

Sundays — 2-5 p.m., Open Skate (all ages); 8-10 p.m., Theme Night
Monday — 6-9 p.m., Family Night
Tuesday-Wednesday —  Closed
Thursday — 7-11 p.m., Adult/Nostalgic Night (18 and up only)
Friday — 7-11 p.m., Teen Night
Saturday — 3-11 p.m., Family Day (all ages)