The Skating Zone has been drawing increasing attention, not just from children, but also from youth and senior citizens. Participation in skating activities has seen a significant rise, with a daily influx of enthusiastic players.
Sakia Banu, a 9th-grade student at Ramtulsi Model School, shares her experience of visiting the Skating Zone in her free time. She mentions that she plays there regularly, especially during mornings and evenings when school is in session, and during the afternoons on holidays. “Skating provides physical and mental relaxation, and I feel more motivated to study after playing here. I make time to come regularly,” Banu said.
Similarly, Adiba Anjum, an 8th-grade student at Madarsa Nurul Basic School, manages her time between completing homework and spending an hour skating. She emphasizes how spending time skating feels more rewarding than wasting time watching TV, playing on mobile phones, or roaming around.
The Skating Zone has been operational for the past three months. It was established by six young entrepreneurs from Rampur, who rented two ropanis (approximately 0.25 hectares) of land for 10 years to start this new venture. With an investment of around NPR 10 million, the Skating Zone attracts 70 to 80 visitors daily, with numbers exceeding 200 on holidays.
According to Ashok Shrestha, one of the operators, people come to play not only from Rampur Municipality but also from Nisdi Rural Municipality, Chapakot in Syangja, and Ghiring Rural Municipality in Tanahun. Shrestha noted that as Rampur becomes more urbanized, the introduction of this unique business has proven successful.
“The business has been running smoothly for about three months now, and it’s gaining popularity across all age groups—children, youth, and seniors alike,” Shrestha explained. “The Skating Zone has encouraged children to spend their free time more productively instead of just watching TV or playing on their phones.” The Zone has also become a point of interest for spectators, who visit to watch the activities even if they don’t participate.
The Skating Zone charges NPR 150 per hour for skating, and plans are underway to introduce special packages for visitors, according to Shrestha. The business employs eight staff members and operates from 7 AM to 9 PM. To ensure safety, helmets, shoes, and safety guards are provided, and Shrestha mentioned that players are also covered by accident insurance of up to NPR 100,000 in case of injuries.
Praveen Sen, a frequent visitor, shared his joy in skating, saying, “Playing here brings me inner peace. I come here from time to time to enjoy the game, which also benefits my health. The opening of the Skating Zone in Rampur has been a great addition for us.”
Before the Skating Zone was established, children would often spend their school holidays engrossed in mobile phones or television, and some were at risk of falling into bad habits. However, with the launch of the Skating Zone, many children’s attention has shifted towards physical activity, reducing their screen time. Santosh Pokharel, another operator, highlighted the positive impact of the facility.
“Children now come here during holidays and after school. They enjoy playing in a peaceful environment and return home after spending their free time productively,” he said. In addition, Pokharel announced plans to open a Virtual Reality (VR) Zone in Rampur, with an investment of NPR 2.5 million. He expects the facility to be operational before the upcoming Dashain festival.
