The Business:
The Skate Ranch, Menomonie’s only roller-skating rink, is located at N4439 440th Street. Previously known as VisionQuest, a new owner took over in October of 2022 and renamed it The Skate Ranch.
The Owner:
Sarah Young, a competitive ice and roller skater, had a lifelong dream of owning a skating rink. Working as a realtor in California, she kept an eye open for rinks across the country that were for sale.
When VisionQuest came on the market she made the trip to Menomonie to check it out and decided to turn her dream into a reality. She sold her house, packed up her family of two sons and five pets, and made her way here from California in a 30-foot rented RV.
About the Business:
The Skate Ranch offers open skating, birthday parties, private events, skating lessons, an arcade and a full-service concession area. There are also many special events including themed skating sessions and adult skating sessions. Plus, they sell skates!
Birthday parties - Parties are available during open skate times or as a private event. Several packages are available. Check the website for options. Open skate and private event hours can be found below.
Private events (skating and non-skating) - They can host skating events for large groups such as scout troops, 4H clubs, home school groups, schools, churches, and more. Dates are available for weddings and graduation parties during June, July, August, and September. Contact directly via Facebook, phone call 715-235-7769 or email skateranchwisconsin@gmail.com for more information.
Skating lessons - certified instructors will be offering several classes - stroller rollers for 2 to 7-year-olds, kids skate school for 7 to 12-year-olds, plus teen and adult lessons. Private lessons are available as well. Check the website calendar for updated class schedules.
Special events - special skating sessions have been added. Some of these themed skating events are suitable for all ages, while others are geared towards teens and some for adults. Check out the Facebook page or website for more detail.
Upcoming theme skates
Taylor Swift Eras Skate - October 14th, 4:30-7:30pm
Halloween Party for adults - October 21st, 7-10pm
Halloween for all ages - October 28th, 4:30-7:30pm
Barbie and Ken Skate - TBD
Club Storm Reunion - TBD (Winter 2024)
Check The Skate Ranch Facebook page or website for more information on these events. The Skate Ranch does have a liquor license, so adult events do serve alcohol.
Roller skates - The Skate Ranch has a wide variety of hand-selected roller skates for sale - brands include Riedell, Moxi, Sure Grip, Pacer, and Fila. Young will help select the best skate for you and ensure the fit is just right.
Bonus Business:
Young ended up purchasing not only a skating rink but a camper rental business as well - Rent A Camper. Three campers are available to rent. When you rent a camper, you can either tow it to your destination yourself, or they will deliver it and set it up for you.
All the campers are stocked with dishes, silverware, pots/pans, cooking utensils, toaster, coffee cups, coffee maker, toilet paper, paper towels, dish towels & cleaning supplies.
Also supplied are bedding, linens, pillows, bathing towels & washcloths. The campers also contain amenities, like card and board games, and DVDs to keep you entertained.
Reservations are currently being accepted for 2024. More information can be found on the Rent A Camper Facebook page.
Hours:
Current hours are:
Open skate
Fridays - 6pm-9pm (teens and adults, skating only - no games and no stroller/trainers)
Saturdays - 1pm-4pm
Sundays - 1pm-4pm
*Group rates are available during open skate hours*
Private parties/events
Saturday - 10am-12pm, 4:30pm-6:30pm, and evenings if available
Sundays - 10:30am-12:30pm and 4:30pm-6:30pm
Weekdays and weeknights by request.
More…
Sarah Young is looking forward to sharing her love of skating with Menomonie. She started skating when she was four years old and has been a competitive skater most of her life. Young wants everyone to have an opportunity to learn to skate. With that in mind, she plans to add plenty of skating lessons for kids of all ages and adults.
“Seeing everyone having fun at the rink is my greatest joy,” said Young. “My whole life, I’ve always been asking people to come skating with me. Now I don’t have to ask anymore.”
Young has been busy working on many upgrades, including refreshing the skating surface, a new website with an online reservation system, rebranding with a new name and logo, and updating the arcade. A grand reopening will be coming once all of the rebranding updates are completed.
There have been a few bumps along the way - thanks to Wisconsin winters and a stolen camper (it was eventually recovered) - but she has no regrets.
“While this has not been easy, it’s all been worth it,” said Young. “I am happy I made the change. I’ve fallen in love with this rink and with Wisconsin.”
The pandemic prompted a big resurgence in skating, especially for adults. Young plans to tap into that growing demographic by continuing to host several adult-only events. Last spring’s St. Patrick’s Day and Disco parties, as well as the more recent Adult Sip N Skate Parties in August and September were well attended. Currently these are only offered as special events, but Young would like to see them grow enough that they are on the schedule every Saturday night. The next one scheduled is an adult Halloween party on October 21st.
Since Young is also an accomplished ice skater, this winter she plans to add an outdoor seasonal ice rink on the property. If all goes well, this rink would be available for ice skating lessons from Young and private rentals for ice skating, hockey or broomball.
Young is eager to become a part of the Menomonie community. She held a skating fundraiser for The Bridge to Hope, sang in the Mabel Tainter show Passport Around the World, and is participating in the Boys and Girls Club Menomonie’s Got Talent Fundraiser on October 5th, where she will show off her impressive skating skills.
Stop down and check out The Skate Ranch during their open skate times or book your next party with them. Young will be there with her skates on, ready to get the fun rolling and loving every minute.
“I’ve turned my dream into a reality,” said Young. “I’m living the dream.”
Find more information on The Skate Ranch Facebook page and website.
