By David Kilby, Staff Writer
MONROE — Tuesday night is skate night at the Monroe Township Recreation Center on Monmouth Road.
The Recreation Center at 120 Monmouth Road is hosting a free skate night from 6.30 to 8 every Tuesday until June 21, and the only thing participants have to bring are their own skates.
The idea for a family skate night recently was promoted for the first time at the center by Al Magliaro, a program supervisor at the center. He got the skates rolling three Tuesdays ago and hopes to attract more people every week.
The roller rink primarily is used for three roller hockey leagues with players from ages 6 to 14, Mr. Magliaro explained.
The center is promoting the new skate night because the staff wants the roller rink to be used for more than roller hockey.
Mr. Magliaro said it is a great way to bring young families together.
”Roller rinks were a big form of socialization back in the ‘50 and ‘60s,” he said. “The roller rink was the main social thing. People would come, they’d hang out, come see everybody, have couples dances.”
”(Mr. Magliaro) advertised the program as a family skate night,” said Jeanne Crawley, program supervisor at the center, adding the event was advertised in the newsletter, the center website (www.monroerec.com) and just by word of mouth.
”We’re just trying to make a time for family skate time,” Ms. Crawley said.
”It’s very informal. They just come and skate for an hour and a half and have a great time,” Mr. Magliaro said.
He said the first two weeks there was “wonderful weather,” and about three dozen people showed up.
Tuesday, the weather was a little cloudy, but at least a dozen people still showed up to skate at the rink, which is outdoors but has a roof. After the free skate period, there is also a men’s group that plays roller hockey from 8:15 to 9:30 p.m.
For information, call Mr. Magliaro at 732-723-5000.

