On 10th August 1880 there was a three miles bicycle challenge race at the rink for a gold medal, the two riders were William Marshall if Middlesbrough and Wilson Mott of Stockton. Interestingly the men seemed to have ridden individually like a time trial. The two were local amateur racing cyclists who had vied with each other for superiority for a considerable time. Mott won the contest, clocking eleven minutes for the three miles and Marshall was thirty five seconds slower. The two men held further challenge match races at least three times. The rink was the scene of several sporting challenges involving walking, running and bicycle races.
There was a very severe storm over the whole country on the night of 11th December 1883, the skating rink was badly damaged and the cost of repairs was estimated to be £3,000. The North Eastern Daily Gazette of 30th January 1884, advertised the whole of the building materials of the wrecked skating rink and the land to be sold by tender.
The building appears to have been repaired and re-opened as a skating rink later in 1884, the rink was also being used as a dance hall. In September 1884, Mr Garry, Stockton's Inspector of Nuisances, reported that there was filthy conduct and vile profligacy in the back streets around the skating rink.
In August 1887, the rink was sold to the Salvation Army, they spent £1,500 converting the skating rink into their barracks, which was opened by General Booth on 21st May 1888.