Holiday Skate Center, a hardwood-floor roller rink that has been a fixture in Orange since 1972, will close its doors on Aug. 3 after losing its lease, owner Donald Telford said.
The closure ends a 54-year run for the Westfield Street rink, a neighborhood landmark that grew out of the 1970s roller-disco era and became a gathering place for families, competitors and recreational skaters.
What changes for residents
With the rink scheduled to shut in early August, community members will lose a local venue for lessons, competitions and public skating sessions. The property owners are reportedly considering turning the site into housing, potentially changing the character and uses of that block in Orange.
Telford, 72, who first brought his daughter Alyson to the rink when she was 6 and later became owner, described a multi-decade connection between the rink and local families. For many in Orange, Holiday Skate Center has been a place for weekend routines, youth classes and competitive skating.
- Opening year: 1972
- Closing date: Aug. 3, 2026
- Owner: Donald Telford, 72
- Potential future use: housing (per property owners)
“It started...with a school skate party,” the story of how Telford first came to the rink underscores the venue’s role as a family and community space.
Local context and consequences
Holiday Skate Center’s closure follows a long national decline in traditional roller rinks, but its loss will be felt locally because of the role it played in youth programming and community gatherings. The rink hosted lessons, amateur competitions and production numbers that involved families, including Telford’s, who competed together.
Property owners’ interest in replacing the rink with housing aligns with pressures many Orange neighborhoods face to increase residential capacity. If the site is redeveloped, residents can expect a change in traffic patterns and neighborhood uses where the rink once operated.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Facility | Hardwood-floor roller rink |
| Address | Westfield Street, Orange |
| Years in operation | 54 (1972–2026) |
Staff and regulars are preparing for the final weeks. Telford and the rink’s employees will oversee wind-down operations through the announced closing date.
For residents who used Holiday Skate Center for lessons or weekend recreation, the loss narrows local options and removes a site with cultural ties to Orange’s social history. Any redevelopment plan would involve private property owners; city permitting and planning processes would determine the final use.
As closure approaches, community members and longtime patrons will be watching for announcements from the property owners and the city about next steps and any potential preservation or relocation efforts for skating programs.
