A roller-skating rink that’s been under construction for nearly a year at Junipero Beach is now on track to be finished by February, according to the city of Long Beach.
The $1 million project broke ground in January 2024 and was originally projected to open in May. That date was bumped to August, pushed back until September and then delayed again when the city abruptly canceled the planned grand opening.
There was more than one reason for the delays, according to Jocelin Padilla, a spokesperson for the Public Works Department
She said it was difficult to source the materials needed to build on the beach, which faces extra wear and tear from the sea and sand. There was also a shortage of specially licensed installers who were needed to layer a protective coating on the roller rink.
The city also ran into problems manufacturing a custom shade structure for the rink.
Because of “some deviations arising from construction,” Padilla said, the city had to resurvey and re-engineer parts of the shade structure, which attaches to permanent footings the city’s contractor built as part of the roller rink.

The custom structure — shipped in from Texas — finally arrived last week, Padilla said. After a final protective coating is applied to the rink, the city can install it and plan an official opening, she said.
The project, which includes installing an additional sports court at Junipero Beach, has a budget of $1,050,000 paid for with Tidelands funds. It’s located at 2630 E. Ocean Blvd., where Junipero Avenue dead-ends into the beach.