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Milpitas Roller Skating Rink Closing After 34 Years

MILPITAS (CBS 5) – After more than three decades in business, the owners of one of the last remaining Bay Area roller skating rinks will hang up their skates this weekend.

Chris and Trace St. Germain have operated Cal Skate of Milpitas practically nonstop for the past 34 years.

With admission at $5-$15, the rink is doing well financially. But the building itself is also getting old, taking more time and money to maintain. But they did not want to raise prices.

"That's not right. I think we're high as it is," said Trace St. Germain.

The St. Germains opened the rink in 1977, quickly becoming a favorite local hangout. Roller skating took off, and Cal Skate even hosted the first world games. Since then, the rink has spawned generations of summertime memories and awkward teen romances.

When Cal Skate opened, there were 18 rinks in the Bay Area, but there will only be five once the rink closes on Sunday. The St. Germains say they'll likely work as consultants or invest the money. But they said it's time to roll into the next phase of their lives.

"I want to thank the skaters that have supported us and have come back over the years," Trace St. Germain said.

Chris St. Germain said, "It's going to sound corny to quote Bob Hope, but thanks for the memories."

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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