PATUXENT RIVER NAVAL AIR STATION, MD – The Glow Party Skate Night, hosted by NAS Patuxent River’s Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR), has been honored as the 2023 Program of the Year by the Commander, Navy Installations Command. This vibrant all-ages event, held in August 2023, successfully captured the essence of community and innovation, earning it top honors among Navy MWR programs nationwide.
The event, which marked a significant upturn in roller skating’s popularity, came to fruition after relocating the station’s Roller Hockey Rink to a tennis court. According to NAS Patuxent River MWR Director Jen Beavers, this move was strategic. “During COVID, roller skating had a resurgence to the recreational world…Community Rec wanted to highlight the roller hockey rink to our population in a way that showed it could be utilized by anyone to skate on, not just for intramural sports,” Beavers explained.
The Glow Party Skate Night was a celebration of skating and a response to a local need. With few roller rinks available in the area, the event provided a much-needed recreational opportunity. “We do not have a skating rink in our area, so this allowed for something new and fun for our customers to do,” Beavers stated. The event featured two skating areas, including the refurbished Roller Hockey Rink and a rented roller skating surface for those without personal skating equipment.
Beyond the fun and games, the event also served as a revenue generator, with concessions sold from the Center Stage Theater contributing to the MWR’s funds. This financial boost is earmarked for future community recreation programs to enhance the quality of life for Pax River service members and their families.
Beavers expressed gratitude for the recognition and the motivation it provides to her team: “We are always trying to bring new, fun, innovative programs and ideas to Pax River, and we are grateful that our peers across the enterprise recognized us for it.” The monetary award received as part of the honor will be reinvested into developing more unique and engaging programs for the community.
For those interested in learning more about the NAS Pax River MWR program and upcoming events, information can be found on their official website at www.navymwrpaxriver.com and their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mwrpaxriver.
The Glow Party Skate Night is a testament to NAS Patuxent River MWR’s commitment to fostering a vibrant, inclusive community spirit through innovative recreational programming. This event provided a unique and enjoyable experience for participants and set a benchmark for future MWR events across the Navy, showcasing the power of community engagement and creativity in meeting the recreational needs of service members and their families.
