The Return of the Simic Recreational Center

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The Simic roller skating rink was built in the 1980s by a group of volunteers led by Floyd Butler, Don Gunn and Roger Wilton who were financed by a number of donors - the largest of which was Tony Simic. In the decades following, the skating rink was regularly packed with children and adults alike.

Teresa Erickson recalls having a blast when she was growing up, visiting the skating rink nearly every weekend. It was the number one place to go for youngsters throughout the fall, winter and early spring. In 2011, when she moved back to the area with her two daughters, she continued this tradition, taking them skating Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

In 2020, the pandemic eradicated countless businesses and public gathering places all over the nation and the world. The Simic Recreational Center did not fully escape this fate. Over the course of the pandemic, the building fell into disrepair and the center has remained closed for the following years. It appeared the sun had set on the Simic Recreational Center.

Teresa hated seeing a building that held not only so many memories for her family and the town alike, but with so much potential. Not one to sit idly by, she contacted the prior board president and asked the old board step down and make way for a new board to sign on. By the first of 2024, Teresa, Trey Fierstein, Vickie Nielsen, Eric Krotzinger, Bret Behrends, Becky Scott, Alison Brittenham and Judy Grove were appointed. Work began immediately to bring the rink back to life.

The old heating system, old speakers, much of the seating and the old, thin insulation has been removed. The walls have been scraped and any mold found has been removed. A new heating and cooling system is being installed so the facility can be used year-round. New eight-inch insulation is going to be installed, the floor will be resurfaced and new internet service and a new sound system are on the way.

The Simic Center will also be receiving a major aesthetic update that will include an all-new logo, look and feel - one that will make the building a destination for not just skating, but all kinds of events, parties and graduations.

"As soon as we get everything torn out and cleaned out, there will be an open house for the public so we can explain plans," Teresa said, "Depending on donations, we would like to be open in the fall! That goal depends entirely on donations and grant money."

In the short month-and-a-half since this board was appointed, progress has moved like a freight train and it shows no signs of slowing. When it reopens, it will be one of only a handful of roller rinks to survive the pandemic in Nebraska.