To celebrate "The Rink’s" 50th anniversary, owners Curtis and Ramona Pouncy organized a glow-in-the-dark mural contest. They invited artists to design pieces that showed what The Rink means to both them and the neighborhood. A mural honoring “The Rink Way” shines across the floor under red and green lights. The Pouncy's purchased the skating business in 2019. although it’s only been six years. They’ve worked to build a second home for their guests. Ramona Pouncy said it’s common for first-time visitors to walk in and insist they’ve been there before. Both lifelong South Siders, the Pouncy's grew up skating at The Rink’s original location at 8920 S. Ashland Ave, and it’s where they first met, right on the skating room floor.
The Pouncy's were regular skaters at The Rink long before they became its owners, often spending Sunday nights, Tuesday mornings and Thursday evenings there on dates. As they became more involved, they realized the rink had several issues that needed attention. When the previous owners began preparing for retirement and looked to sell, the Pouncy's stepped in, hoping to help transform the space into a showpiece so the community could continue enjoying a high-quality place to skate. The previous owners even gave them a suggestion too just purchase the building, but they didn't want too. The Pouncy's came from a background in medical supplies and were running a business in that field at the time. They were actually preparing to retire and enjoy life, and operating a skating rink was nowhere on their list of plans.
When the previous owners couldn’t find anyone to continue the business, they put The Rink on the market and even signed a contract with a trucking company. The company intended to use the space for parking semis and converting the interior into corporate offices, which meant the South Side would lose its skating rink entirely. The news devastated the Pouncy's, who had built community there and met each other within those walls. But a month later, the deal with the trucking company collapsed. The previous owners then told the Pouncy's that if they wanted to preserve The Rink for the neighborhood, they would need to take ownership themselves. Within three weeks, the Pouncy's finalized the purchase, driven by their belief that the rink played a vital role in the community and needed to be preserved. To give The Rink a refreshed identity, the Pouncy's revamped nearly every surface. Their improvements included new skate floors, new carpeting, fresh paint, roof repairs, restored lighting, remodeled bathrooms and updated doors. As a holistic nutritionist, Ramona Pouncy expanded the menu by bringing in healthier choices rather than other skate rinks who produce fried unhealthy foods. She added foods like salads, soups, smoothies and sweet potato nachos.
As "The Rink marks its 50th anniversary, its impact stretches far beyond skating. It has become a cultural touchstone—a place where generations have learned to skate, built friendships, healed from life’s challenges and found a sense of belonging. What could have been another lost neighborhood staple has instead been revived through the Pouncy's commitment to preserving its legacy and strengthening the community it serves. Their vision has breathed new life into the space, allowing old traditions to continue and new ones to emerge. Families return to share memories with their children, longtime skaters reconnect on the floor and newcomers walk through the doors and instantly feel part of something bigger. After five decades, The Rink remains a vibrant symbol of South Side pride, resilience and joy and thanks to the Pouncy's, it’s poised to carry that legacy forward for generations to come.
Reviewed by UnpluggedWKueen
on
November 18, 2025
Rating:
