By Anna Guido
Enquirer contributor

SHARONVILLE - Golden Skates may soon move to booming West Chester Township, but not under ideal circumstances.

Business and city officials are negotiating a sale of the longtime Sharonville roller rink. If an agreement cannot be reached, the city will acquire the property by eminent domain.

Justin Heileman (left), 13, of Hamilton and Vincent Cicchinelli, 13, of West Chester wait to practice at Golden Skates in Sharonville Monday. (Mike Simon photos) | ZOOM |

"If I could fight the eminent domain, I would rather stay here," rink owner Sam Nelson said.

"I've worked hard since I purchased this property to pay off my debt, and if I have to move, the cost of land and construction now will put me right back in debt."

Eminent domain is the right of a government to appropriate private property for public use.

Golden Skates, at 1640 E. Kemper Road, was built in 1973 in what is now a bustling commercial zone not far from Tri-County Mall.

Sharonville officials want to raze the facility - home to roller skating, roller hockey and dances - to make way for a new fire station, Safety Service Director Al Ledbetter said.

"Nothing against Golden Skates - it's just the best location for a new safety building," Mr. Ledbetter said.

The new fire station will improve response time and replace a station at Centerdale Drive and Crescentville Road, Mr. Ledbetter said.

It also will serve as the new central station and could combine with adjoining city property for any future expansion, he said.

But Ken Roesel, general manager of Golden Skates for 17 years, said he is concerned about potential loss of business at the rink's new location.

Justin Heileman practices in-line hockey at the rink. | ZOOM |

"Anytime you move an established business, you're taking a risk," he said.

Golden Skates draws from throughout the Tristate, but many of the skating rink's younger customers come from the West Chester area. The rink hosts four divisions, or about 20 teams, in youth roller hockey; many of the teams are from West Chester.

However, the rink also generates an equal amount of business from its teen and adult soul dance events, according to Golden Skates. That market is drawn primarily from the Sharonville and Springdale areas.

West Chester officials have had preliminary discussions with Golden Skates and have good things to say about the skating rink's possible move to the township.

"We have an active population of roller-skaters and roller-hockey enthusiasts," said Melissa Koehler, executive director of the West Chester Community Improvement Corp.

Assistant Township Administrator Judy Carter said West Chester wants to expand its recreation offerings.

"I think we all understand that the more expansive our recreational and park facilities can be for our youth, the better," Ms. Carter said.

Mr. Nelson said he is interested in sites on Union Centre Boulevard and Ohio 747, where two rinks may be built to accommodate both roller skating and roller hockey, Mr. Roesel said.

The skating rink's surface would be made of hardwood, like the existing facility.

The hockey rink would be made of epoxy-coated concrete and could serve a new market: trade shows, officials say.

Last year, Golden Skates brought in about $750,000, and paid about $18,000 in real estate taxes.

Golden Skates also hosts private and corporate parties.

E-mail annag1160@cs.com