Guptill's Roller Skating Arena

09/06/2026

This weekend, we placed Skip Guptill’s photo beside that of his father, Charles Guptill Sr., in the rink. Together, their photos represent generations of family, dedication, pride and the countless memories made at Guptill’s Arena. While we mourn the loss of Skip Guptill, we are grateful that his legacy will continue to live on, alongside his father’s, at the rink. ❤️🛼🛼

09/05/2026

We are deeply grateful to the Boght Community Fire District and Colonie Emergency Medical Services for this thoughtful tribute to Skip Guptill.
Your kindness and recognition mean more to our family then we can express. Thank you for honoring his memory.

09/05/2026

This is a video of Skip Guptill this past February 2026 with one of many news stations that interviewed him for the 75th anniversary. Skip said the 75th anniversary went by faster than he could have imagined. What the reporter found most impressive was that Skip’s dad built the rink because he had inflammatory rheumatism arthritis that got bad enough that he couldn’t walk and he went rollerskating with a local church group and it helped so much, that day in the 1940’s he came home and he said to his wife “Margaret I’m gonna build a roller rink.” It wasn’t discovered until the 1970s (after Charles Guptill Sr’s death) that he actually built the largest skating rink in the world in the Guinness Book of World Record’s Sports Edition. Through out his life Skip always knew every history fact about the rink or anything in the area for that matter. In his 85 years, Skip was always eager to share information and stories that was greater than any history book could provide. We love you Skip and we will always miss you! 🛼 🛼

09/05/2026

John, thank you for writing this. Skip always enjoyed not only watching you on the television but also talking to you in person when you came to skate. He particularly really enjoyed this article attached below in the comment section that you wrote for the Troy record many years ago that he must’ve photo copied hundreds of copies to pass out to people to read because what you said was perfect. He admired you as a professional and a friend. And it’s worth mentioning this article you wrote was so important to him, it has been on display in the snack bar window ever since you wrote it and Skip taped it there. It will always stay there. John Gray Writer

So sorry to see Skip Guptill passed away.

I went to Guptill's arena back when I was a little kid and Skip was always there, ripping tickets, saying hello and making sure every child had a good time.

He took pride in the old messages on the walls, one of which says "There's no such thing as a bad boy."

He believed that and as his own children grew up and helped run the arena, his values were evident everywhere.

When I became a TV reporter I shot many stories at Guptill's and used to go there on weeknights to rollerblade for exercise and sometimes I'd stand with Skip by the door and talk for a half-hour.

Funny story... one night when I came in to rollerblade, Skip said, "I need a favor. There's a reporter from Ch. 6 here shooting a feature story and she can't really skate and need someone to hold her hand and pull her around the arena while she talks on camera"

(in TV they call this a 'stand up')

Now, keep in mind, I worked for the competition at the time, but this was my buddy Skip so I said sure.

I held the young lady's hand and she did her thing and that was that.

Many years later I saw that young reporter doing her own cooking show and eventually a TV talk show.

It was Rachael Ray.

What a funny world.

Anyway... Skip was the real deal and a true gentleman and when he gets to heaven and God asks what he did with his life, he can truly answer, "Made children smile."

How's that for a legacy !!!

Rachael Ray

09/05/2026

Thank you Peter! Skip admired you, your leadership and your friendship more than words could say.

09/04/2026

📣We would like you to take a moment to reflect on and share any wonderful dear to you memories that you have of the legendary Skip Guptill. (Also see previous post comments.. ) Skip was most proud to be a part of the 75th anniversary this past February! He said if only my dad could see this today! Skip lived 85 wonderful years and was 11 years old on opening day on 2/14/1951. Skip could tell you endless stories about it. He has been here ever since the beginning. His father when trying to get a loan from the bank to build the rink was denied the loan, saying he would never be successful with a rink here. That didn’t stop Skip’s father, he said we are going to have to do this the hard way and cut all the wood ourselves. That hard work and determination stuck with Skip all his life. As a kid in the late 1940’s Skip went to work almost everyday with the hard working construction crew that built the rink. This was where he learned to be a people’s person and talk to people. He was a people’s person and everyone’s best friend to thousands of people all his life. He was larger than life. Everyone knew Skip and he knew you and your family as well. He loved his family, loved the rink and ice cream and from talking to him, you could learn more about the history of Latham, Colonie and Boght Corners than any history book could provide. He would always greet you with a smile and a laugh and if you were lucky, one of the best stories and jokes. We are all going to miss his stories and his legendary presence. We love you Skip and will greatly miss you. ❤️ Now you’re in heaven and can look down and see your legacy roll on forever. 🛼 🛼

09/04/2026

📣We would like you to take a moment and reflect on and share any wonderful dear to you memories that you have of the legendary Skip Guptill. Skip was most proud to be a part of the 75th anniversary this past February! He said if only my dad could see this today! Skip lived 85 wonderful years and was 11 years old on opening day on 2/14/1951. Skip could tell you endless stories about it. He has been here ever since the beginning. His father when trying to get a loan from the bank to build the rink was denied the loan, saying he would never be successful with a rink here. That didn’t stop Skip’s father, he said we are going to have to do this the hard way and cut all the wood ourselves. That hard work and determination stuck with Skip all his life. As a kid in the late 1940’s Skip went to work almost everyday with the hard working construction crew that built the rink. This was where he learned to be a people’s person and talk to people. He was a people’s person and everyone’s best friend to thousands of people all his life. He was larger than life. Everyone knew Skip and he knew you and your family as well. He loved his family, loved the rink and ice cream and from talking to him, you could learn more about the history of Latham, Colonie and Boght Corners than any history book could provide. He would always greet you with a smile and a laugh and if you were lucky, one of the best stories and jokes. We are all going to miss his stories and his legendary presence. We love you Skip and will greatly miss you. ❤️ Now you’re in heaven and can look down and see your legacy roll on forever. 🛼 🛼

View Charles M. "Skip" Guptill Jr.'s complete obituary, share memories, and explore heartfelt tribute posts from the community.

05/25/2026

Roller Skating is closed today but Guptill’s Ice Cream is Open Today for Memorial Day 11 AM- 9:30 PM🍦
🇺🇸This Memorial Day, we remember and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice serving and protecting our freedom. Their sacrifices will never be forgotten. Wishing you a safe and meaningful Memorial Day🇺🇸 God Bless The Red White And Blue 🇺🇸

05/15/2026

We hope to see you rolling with your family and friends this weekend at Guptill’s Arena! 🛼🛼

04/17/2026

You asked for it.. you got it…
🎶70’s, 80’s and 90’s Night Returns This Saturday night 4/18/26 6:30-9:30PM. 🛼 This Saturday Night don’t sit home, get out and have some fun! Come and skate with hundreds of people to the best music EVER…. mixed back to back. “LIVE D.J. AND LIGHT SHOW” Don’t Miss It!!! 🛼🛼🎶🎼🎵