WARSAW — Hansen’s Eastlake Skating Center, 3010 Frontage Road, will be celebrating its 10-year anniversary with a day filled with activities from 2 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7. Skaters arriving between 2 and 7 p.m. will receive free admission. Those arriving between 7 and 10 p.m. will receive free skate rental. There will be several opportunities to win prizes, including a pair of roller skates, and one lucky winner will receive free skating for a year.

Eastlake Skating Center has been a staple in Warsaw since 1981, previously owned by Joe and Carol Chester. Current owner Trace Hansen left his law enforcement career in Everett, Wash., in August 2007 to relocate and purchase the facility. His son, Jordan, age 12 at the time, relocated as well and began his work as a DJ. Currently, Trace and his wife, Shannon, are seen regularly at the rink, with their two young daughters, Ella and Delaney, often jumping, spinning or just skating around the rink.

“We love the community and all of the great customers who frequent the skating rink. Being able to provide a safe environment for children and a fun activity for families is our number one goal,” says Hansen. “ We have since expanded and purchased a facility in Elkhart as well as Easley, S.C., and kept those rinks from closing. Skating rinks are an integral part of a community, and we often hear stories from adults on their childhood memories from skating. We are thankful we get to give those same experiences to new generations of kids.”

The skating rink underwent an extensive remodel in 2013 with all new lighting, walls, bathrooms and carpet, as well as a beautiful new maplewood floor. A new sound system was added last year. The Hansens enjoy working out at the YMCA, being involved in local activities, supporting local businesses and making a difference. Hansen served as president of the Warsaw Breakfast Optimist Club, has served as a section vice-president for the Roller Skating Association of rink owners, on the U.S. Olympic committee athlete advisory council and is currently chairman of the Board for USA Roller Sports, the official national governing body for all roller sports in the U.S.

Eastlake is also host to the largest figure skating camp in the U.S. and will be hosting the fourth rendition of this event Nov. 10 through 13. Over 100 skaters and coaches descend on Warsaw from all over the country to get coaching from a top International coach. This has a nice economic impact on the community, and the public is welcome to come in and observe at no charge. Hansen is a three-time world championship participant, twice finishing fifth in the world in pairs skating. He is also a registered speed skating coach and certified figure skating instructor. Contact can be made at [email protected] or (574) 269-5342.