Twilight Skating Rink Needs Help to Keep Rolling

Twilight Skating Rink Needs Help to Keep Rolling

Update 5-21-23--We are now offering $150 special guest cards. These cards give each person who buys one unlimited access to all of our open sessions and access to our last all-out event. More details on this to come. Special guests cards are for sale instore.

Jonesboro-based, family entertainment center, Twilight Skating Rink will close if it doesn’t find a new facility to call home. The business itself is owned by David and Tristan Veteto, and the building and property are leased. The property landlord has decided to develop retail space in the current location leaving Twilight with only six months to relocate. With leasing and operational costs at an all-time high, the owners are unable to fund a quick move. What the skating rink needs to stay open is a new facility with low to zero down payment or funding to help facilitate the move.

Twilight Skating Rink has been owned and operated by David and Tristan Veteto for the past five years. It was about to close its doors after 45-plus years when the father/son duo stepped in. David Veteto had taken his son skating throughout his teenage years and knew the positive impact it had on his son and his friends. “I didn’t want to see the rink close when it had helped my son and his friends in so many ways,” he explained. “And I don’t want to see it close now. It’s a place where families can be together and have fun. It gives them something positive and keeps the kids out of trouble.”

Tristan added, “This rink has been around for at least 50 years. Skating has been a huge part of my life since I was a teenager. The rink was a safe haven for me and several of my friends when my Dad and I decided to save it. We saved it once, and we can save it again with help from the community.”

David and Tristan learned how to make the wheels of the rink turn and they grew loyal to above all, making sure everyone had fun. Affectionately known as “Pops” by the kids and even their parents, David says Twilight Skating Rink is at its core–his and his son's heart. “We started this business to keep the kids from losing something they love. Our goal has always been to make sure everyone that comes through the door has fun.”

With no single item on the concessions menu over 5.00, David said, “The skating rink is not a money-making place. It never was. It’s a safe refuge for these kids. We know it can be challenging for a skating rink to get the financial support it needs in a smaller community, but a small community is exactly where a skating rink is needed the most.”

Twilight Skating is able to cover operating expenses, but moving into a new building with such short notice is out of reach. The beloved skating rink is once again facing closure and they are now reaching out to the community for help.

Tristan said, “Usually the skating rink is the only thing in town that keeps the kids off the street. So, it’s a way of us preserving the family unit in our community and giving them something to do because there are not a lot of things for the family to do in a small community like ours. They don’t have much to do in terms of recreation, and we feel we’re providing some good clean, wholesome fun for the families in this area.”

According to Twilight’s customers, the Veteto’s often give deals to people who can’t afford the entry fees, and young people often come to them with their personal problems. “Because of the positive vibe and atmosphere that Twilight gives my kid and her friends, I help pay other kids' entry fees so they can stay out of trouble and do something fun,” Mandy Newcom said.

What’s necessary for Twilight Skating to stay open is a temporary or permanent facility. The Vetetos said they have plans to develop a bigger entertainment complex with more features in the future but help is needed now to keep the rink from closing altogether.

Here’s how you can help:

Donations are being accepted through the gofundme page and will go directly towards this effort

Help provide a temporary or permanent space (if its large enough to accommodate growth) (one year) to lease with a minimum to zero down payment

Spread the word to others who may be available to assist

Share this article and gofundme page on all social media

When they purchased Twilight Skating rink David had recently recovered from cancer. He said many weeks of chemotherapy and radiation, fighting for his life made him see everything differently. “When you’re faced with the possibility of losing your life and your loved ones, you get a new perspective,” he explained. “When I recovered I promised myself to make the most of every day and that promise included never missing an opportunity. The opportunity to make a difference in the future of our community starts through our kids.”