HOLLAND TWP. — It was a night to remember for many in Holland Township, as the skating center formerly known as The Rink — and before that, Grand Roller Rink — reopened its doors as RollXscape.
The opening was most notable perhaps because it wasn’t supposed to happen at all. Eight months ago, the building at 12521 James St. was slated to become a warehouse.
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But, to community delight, ownership bowed to public demand and approached an experienced couple to revamp and reopen the center under a new name.
The business, owned by Timothy Price and his wife, wasn’t lacking in attendance Thursday, Nov. 4, when dozens of Hollanders showed up to offer their support.
“We’ve been skating since we met,” Price said. “And I’ve been coaching speed skating for the last 12 years.”
The couple was looking for space to open their own skating center when they heard from the Fogg family, who purchased the building on James Street after previous business owners Crystal and Tony Nolan failed to raise enough money to save The Rink.
The first order of business? Coming up with a new name.
“I was trying to think of a name that included ‘roll’ or something to do with skating,” Price said of the new name. “And I was thinking about what skating meant to me or how I felt about it, and with skating, I escape everything.”
The building looks dramatically different than it did six months ago. Dividing walls in the concession area and birthday room have been removed, as well as office space and old carpet squares. The skating floor has been completely replaced and expanded to its original size.
“It’s a more open concept,” Price said. “It’s got bright and vibrant colors. I think the only thing that’s the same is the wall around the skating floor.”
Skaters can purchase fries, nachos, hot dogs, pizza, pop and slushies at the concession stand. They can also make use of a kiddie rink, professional skating equipment sales and an arcade.
The center is currently open Thursdays-Saturdays. Weekdays are reserved for private rentals from schools, churches and organizations. Birthday parties are available during weekend public sessions — excluding adult skate.
Music is a mix of old-school “skating jams” and today’s hits.
“I’ve been to over 60 skating rinks and this vision was a combination of all of them,” Price said. “We’re just hoping to make it a family-friendly, fun and entertaining place to be.”
For the month of November, open skate is 6-8 p.m. Thursdays, 7-10 p.m. Fridays and 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., 3-5:30 p.m. and 6:30-9:30 p.m. Saturdays. Adult skate is 8:30-11 p.m. Thursdays.
Admission varies from $8-10 per person, and skate rentals are $4. For more information, visit facebook.com/rollxscape.
— Contact reporter Cassandra Lybrink at cassandra.lybrink@hollandsentinel.com. Follow her on Instagram @BizHolland.
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