>> THE GOVERNMENT RECENTLY CLEARED THE WAY FOR A PERMANENT PLACE IN THE U.S. MARKET. >>> AN ERA IS ROLLING TO AN END. >> GOLDEN SKATE IS SET TO CLOSE ITS DOORS AFTER A HALF CENTURY IN BUSINESS. >> KATIE NIELSEN WAS THERE AS SOME OF THE ORIGINAL REGULARS
LACED UP FOR A FINAL FEW LAPS. ♪ ♪ >> Reporter: >> WHAT MAKES IT SO BEAUTIFUL IS THE FREEDOM. YOU DO WHAT YOU DO AND YOU FEEL WHAT YOU FEEL. AND YOU GO FOR IT. >> Reporter: RICHARD HUMPHREYS STARTED SKATING AS A KID IN THE
1950s AND DISCOVERED GOLDEN SKATE WHERE HE EARNED HIMSELF THE NICKNAME “ROLLER DANCE MAN.” THE MUSIC HASN’T CHANGED MUCH WITH POPULAR SONGS BLASTING THROUGH THE SPEAKERS, AS SOME ROLLER DANCE. OTHERS CRUISE. AND A HANDFUL HOLD ONTO THE WALL FOR DEAR LIFE. BUT FOR THE SEASONED SKATERS,
THIS FEELS LIKE HOME. >> THE MINUTE I GET ON THE FLOOR TO ROLL, EVERYTHING, YOU FORGET EVERYTHING THAT’S GOING ON, AND WHATEVER’S BOTHERING YOU JUST COMES INTO PLACE. >> Reporter: THAT’S WHY IT’S SO HARD FOR THESE SELF-PROCLAIMED OG SKATERS TO ACCEPT GOLDEN
SKATE WILL CLOSE AT THE END OF THE MONTH AFTER BEING A GATHERING PLACE FOR SO MANY FOR THE PAST 47 YEARS. THE OWN ARE SAYS HAVING TO CLOSE DURING COVID SEVERELY HURT BUSINESS, AND WITH FEWER PEOPLE COMING BACK TO SKATE AFTER THE RESTRICTIONS LIFTED, IT DOESN’T
MAKE FINANCIAL SENSE TO STAY OPEN ANY LONGER. THE LAND WHERE THE RINK SITS WILL BE REDEVELOPED INTO HOUSING. >> THIS IS THE LAST OFFICIAL SKATING RINK IN THE WHOLE ENTIRE BAY AREA? THAT’S GOT TO SAY IT. >> IT’S HARD. I’LL BE COOL TONIGHT, AND LATER
ON I’LL BE SAD. >> Reporter: BUT THERE’S STILL TEAM FOR ONE LAST ROLL AROUND THE RINK. THERE’S ONE MORE
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