“Our priority is to finally open and start skating,” she said. “And the response has been great so far.”
She said the soft opening last weekend was posted to Facebook, and so many people came out they had to turn people away.
“I felt bad, but it was good to know that there are people out there who want to (skate),” she said.
Construction started in August, and some of the dust is still settling. The main oak-floor rink is complete, but the DJ booth is still being assembled. There’s also a separate, smaller oak rink that’s nearly finished; it will accommodate skaters 8 and under. On Saturdays, the rink’s flow guards will give free skating lessons for kids.
Three rooms were built to accommodate birthday parties, and a larger room with five big-screen TVs was designed to host video game competitions. There’s also a separate, smaller room — “the Quiet Room” — with a sofa, WiFi and closed circuit TV for parents who may need to take a break but still want to keep an eye on the kids.
Skate City also has a concession area, an arcade and a sales counter, called the Pro Shop, that deals in tchotchkes like glowin-the-dark pacifiers and sparkly glasses. Prices for most skates during the week are $5 per person, $8 on the weekend. Skate rental is $2.
“There’s not a lot to do for young people in this area, so we created this to get them off the streets and give them something positive to do,” Pea said. “No one’s allowed in if they’re under the influence, and we‘re not going to tolerate big, loud parties. This is a place to be safe and stay active. Parents will be able to drop their kids off and know they’re not going to get in trouble.
“And then if the parents want to skate, then there’s a night for them, too.”
Skate City Rink 805 Southland St., Lansing 1-6 p.m. (birthday parties and open skate) & 8 p.m.- midnight (18-up only) Sunday; 7-11 p.m. Monday (Old School Night, 25-up only) ; 8 p.m.-midnight Tuesday (Gospel Night); 6-9 p.m. Wednesday (Family Night); 7-11 p.m. Thursday (College Night); 6-10 p.m. (under 18 only) & 11 p.m.-2:30 a.m. (open skate) Friday; 9-10:30 a.m. (youth skate lessons), 1-4 p.m. (open skate), 6-10 p.m. (youth only) & 11 p.m.-2:30 a.m. (open skate) Saturday. (517) 887-7000, facebook. com/skatecityrink
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