Skateland (skating rink)

Skateland was a historic skating rink located at 18140 Parthenia St. in Northridge, California.[1]

History

Roy and Stan Bannister opened what was then called Northridge Valley Skateland on January 30, 1958.[2] It was then purchased by Richard Fleming, a former Sears, Roebuck and Co. executive in 1968;[2] Fleming had met his wife, Lorraine, skating while he was stationed in Chicago during World War II.[3] In 1978, Fleming sold the business to his sons, David and Michael Fleming.[2]

In its early years, celebrities such as Jerry Lewis, Henry Winkler, Danny Bonaduce, and The Jackson 5 visited the rink, while acts such as Ike & Tina Turner, Sonny & Cher, Iron Butterfly, and The Standells played at the rink's dances.[2] More modern celebrities such as Paula Abdul, Stevie Wonder, Tom Cruise, Alec Baldwin, Will Smith, Joan Rivers, Ed Begley Jr., Magic Johnson, and Olivia Newton-John also visited the rink; Newton-John used it to train for her role in Xanadu.[3] The rink was also used for an episode of The Office, a N.E.R.D. music video,[3] and scenes in Promises in the Dark and The Six Million Dollar Man.[2]

Closure and conversion

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the rink such that it closed down for eight months. The forced closure ended up fatally affecting the business. The Flemings sold the building to Ken Craft, CEO of Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission, in 2020.[1] With the support of L.A. City Council member John Lee of Council District 12, the structure was converted into a 107-bed homeless shelter, also offering job training and drug rehabilitation.[4][5] The shelter opened on May 12, 2022 as the Trebek Center, named after game show host and humanitarian Alex Trebek,[6] who had donated $100,000 to the project.[7] Mayor Eric Garcetti was present for the occasion. [8]

References

  1. ^ a b "Skateland Northridge To Close Permanently, Be Converted Into Bridge Housing For Homeless - CBS Los Angeles". www.cbsnews.com. November 19, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Skateland has been center of family fun for generations". February 21, 2008.
  3. ^ a b c "In The San Fernando Valley, A Beloved Former Skating Rink Is Transformed Into A Homeless Shelter". LAist. May 6, 2022.
  4. ^ "Skateland in Northridge to close permanently, become homeless shelter". ABC7 Los Angeles. November 18, 2020.
  5. ^ Release, Press (November 17, 2020). "Northridge Skateland Closing Doors as Roller Rink, Proposal for Homeless Shelter Announced".
  6. ^ "Trebek Center homeless shelter opens at site of former Northridge roller rink". May 12, 2022.
  7. ^ https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jeopardy-host-alex-trebek-donates-100k-to-a-los-angeles-homeless-shelter/
  8. ^ "The Trebek Center Opens | CD12". cd12.lacity.gov.
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