By Sara Beth Williams–
One of the region’s oldest roller rinks, which was listed for sale in the spring and recently dropped in price, is attracting strong interest from potential buyers. Amid the interest from buyers from across the country, real estate agent Tony Wood with eXp Commercial maintains that he and the owners want to find a buyer who will continue to operate the roller rink.
In an interview this week, Wood called Sunrise Rollerland a “mainstay” of Citrus Heights and added it remains open and operating.
“There’s lots of activity—lots of serious people,” Wood said in reference to buyer interest, noting that one particular buyer of interest is from the west coast.
Wood said that while the property could be legally separated from the business, its greatest value lies in keeping the rink intact. Transforming the building for another use, he explained, would come with significant costs.
“Anyone else looking to do other things with it would likely be looking at an additional cost to transform it from this amazing roller skating rink,” he said.
Currently, both the business and the property are for sale together as one.
Rink owner Ken Neutz said Friday the rink is entering its busy season and will offer families lots of activities over the holidays, including a K-Pop skating night, and a “Stranger Things” skate party, plus reduced admission prices for Nov. 10 and 11, when tickets are purchased online.
Despite its proximity to the largely vacant Sunrise Mall, Wood said Rollerland continues to thrive independently. “The Sunrise Mall [situation] doesn’t help, but the rink stands pretty well on its own two feet,” he said. “It functions just fine in the face of what’s going on with the mall.”
Wood theorized that the roller rink property could become even more desirable if the city’s long-term redevelopment plan for the mall site, which calls for turning the property into a mixed-used destination with more adjacent housing, advances forward.
“If the Sunrise Tomorrow plan ever started to get implemented, I think [the business] would be quite attractive,” Wood said. “It’s got its own access. It’s an independent thing that could be enhanced.”
For now, Wood said, the focus remains on finding a buyer who recognizes the rink’s legacy and community importance. Wood also mentioned he has approached the City of Citrus Heights, pitching the idea of a purchase in hopes of preserving the rink as a public recreation asset and ensuring it continues to serve as a community gathering place for future generations.
Sunrise Rollerland hosts a range of community-supported activities year-round, from youth events to senior skating sessions, with the holiday season being one of its busiest times.
“It’s primarily community supported, and that’s what keeps it strong,” Wood said of the business, which recently celebrated 50 years.
For more information on sessions and cost, visit the roller rink’s website. Sunrise Rollerland is located at 6001 Sunrise Vista Drive.
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