Skaters waltzed at the Niskayuna Club in 1967.
Others slipped and sprawled on smooth ice – the club’s major attraction during the winter months.
During the mid-1960s, the club owned the only outdoor artificial ice rink in the Capital Region. People came to skate while others watched brothers and sisters of the blade challenge the slippery cold floor.
The complex had space for 200 spectators, a warming house and a snack bar. A skate shop, sharpening tools and locker rooms were other parts of the operation.
In 1967, Mr. and Mrs. George Anthos served as professionals at the rink. The couple ran an ice skating school, and greeted hockey players who had signed up for ice time. Private skating parties were other options.
“Among those taking advantage of the rink this past season,” write Schenectady Gazette reporter Gail Shufelt in 1967, “were many youth organizations, church groups, business and social clubs and school units, which may rent the facility for skating parties and contests.”
The Anthos’ skating school educated people just starting, and people who were more experienced blade runners.
“Beginners learn the basic skating skills while the more advanced concentrate on figure eights, intricate footwork, spins and jumps,” Shufelt wrote.
Categories: -News-, Saratoga County
