Where Do Kids Roller Skate?
Skatin’ Place was THE PLACE to be on Friday nights for many 1980’s pre-teens. Parents agreed as both moms and dads were comfortable dropping off their kids for several hours on a Friday night. It was a nice break for everyone. Personally, I looked forward to the limbo, numbers game and just hanging out.
Several generations experienced the Skatin’ Place and the warmth that the Boughton family brought to the community. When Doug and Bev decided to close the family business I wondered, “Where will the kids roller skate”? More importantly, where will the next generation be able to hang out in a safe, parent -approved location?
Aside from scheduled rec nights sponsored by Leisure Services, where do our current tweeners and early teenagers hang out? Are kids so over scheduled that hanging out can’t be put on iCal? As a parent I’m a few years away from the tween years and, frankly, I’m out of the loop on hot spots. Please tell me there are still some safe hot spots for kids to just hang out. By the way I won’t accept a Milton Avenue parking lot as a safe hot spot.
That’s all for this blog entry. Everyone is welcome back on the floor and back to an all skate.
Steve Knox was born, raised and landed back in Janesville. He encourages you to participate as he writes on Janesville and beyond as this Generation X guy supports his Janesville mission, global vision. Steve is a community blogger and is not a part of Janesville Gazette staff. His opinion is not necessarily that of the Janesville Gazette staff or management.
Nov 11, 2009 at 3:16 p.m.
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I'm sad that Janesville doesn't have a roller skating rink because roller skating is so fun and such good exercise. But it seems to me like a lot of teenagers have switched from roller skating to ice skating. I accidentally ended up at a teen skating night at the ice rink last winter, and I was amazed at how many teens were there. They skated circles around me -- literally.
-Stacy Vogel
Nov 10, 2009 at 8:09 p.m.
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Agreed, kids need a place to hang out on weekend nights other than causing trouble.
http://www.blog.collegeathleticscholarsh...
Nov 10, 2009 at 7:47 p.m.
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Tanglefoot and Ace High...ahhh the memories. I can still hear the announcer breaking into the music, "Ladies Choice!" or "Reverse!" or "Evvvvvverybody All-Skate!" Whenever I hear an oldie by Tommy James and the Shondells, I think of Ace High.
Nov 10, 2009 at 7:11 p.m.
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I didn't really ever go to the one in janesville but always went to the one in beloit. We use to have a great time & even had overnite skates that were a blast. They still have the one in beloit but they aren't hardly open anymore. It's pretty sad. Maybe they will read these & offer more hours for all the kids to go there for sme safe fun in this & the next few generations. :)
Nov 10, 2009 at 6:43 p.m.
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Ace High was 2 blocks away from my house and our moms would drive us across town to Skatin Place for the more G-PG rated atmosphere. Loved that place! I get all nostalgic every time I go to a conference and the new convention center- they really did a nice job keeping some of the Skatin Place touches intact.
Nov 10, 2009 at 1:31 p.m.
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yes dg468 i do remember that very well....those were the days.
Nov 10, 2009 at 11:54 a.m.
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Does anyone remember when Tanglefoot had skating on Friday nights until 10 and then had a live band and dancing after that until midnight? That was my favorite weekend thing to do.
Nov 10, 2009 at 11:21 a.m.
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On nights that the Janesville Jets aren't playing they have open ice skating from 6 - 8 and 8 - 10 for teens. Also, during the summer River's Edge has 2 games of bowling, a hotdog and soda for $5 on Friday nights.
Nov 10, 2009 at 9:12 a.m.
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OMG! My husband & I were JUST talking about this Saturday night! He used to go to Edgerton's rec. nite skating, but I frequented the Skatin' Place. He was mentioning that he thinks that Edgerton still has a rec. night w/ skating. Another place that I have seen "some" kids hanging out at is Pipes, behind Hobby Lobby....Remember the all night skates?!....
Nov 10, 2009 at 12:17 a.m.
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Great post Steve! I often wonder myself what kids do as a "safe" past time these days. Kids are so dependent on cell phones, computers and video games that they don't know how to be kids anymore. I think Janesville owes the Boughton's a debt of gratitude for providing safe, fun, family oriented entertainment for as long as they did! Makes me want to blow the dust of my skates and get back on the maple.
Nov 9, 2009 at 11:20 p.m.
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I grew up with Girl Scouts, 4-H, and summer softball. With that said, each of those handed us LOTS of activities year-round. There is a happy medium of being involved without be over-involved. There's nothing wrong with choosing a couple activities that can create year-round fun and safety.
Besides, what's wrong with allowing kids to have an idle enough mind to imagine and be creative? We all survived in Gen-X, didn't we?
Nov 9, 2009 at 8:13 p.m.
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I loved going to Ace High every Friday night when we were young. Oh the good old days!
Nov 9, 2009 at 8:02 p.m.
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What about laser tag arenas?
Nov 9, 2009 at 7:40 p.m.
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Maybe they can hangout at the Tallman house?
Nov 9, 2009 at 7:29 p.m.
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rock county courthouse....
Nov 9, 2009 at 6:57 p.m.
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The Tangle Foot and Ace High were my era. Where do kids hang out? The streets, the mall, at friends homes where ever they end up. The movie prices are crazy and there is not for tweens and teens to do here without costing an arm and leg. With so many unemployed it is really more stressful now as alot of parents don't have the resources as before.
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