LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) — A San Fernando Valley skating rink that has been closed for approximately eight months due to the fact of the coronavirus pandemic will close completely and be converted into a homeless shelter.
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(credit history: Los Angeles Metropolis Councilman John Lee)
Skateland Northridge at 18140 Parthenia Road has been a beloved of San Fernando Valley households for far more than 60 a long time and is a person of the previous of Southern California’s roller skating rinks. But, like other indoor entertainment facilities, it was forced to shut down in March owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“And that compelled closure for eight months just wrecked our small business,” David Fleming, who owns Skateland with his brother Mike, stated. “And so we began to feel about, ‘Well, you know, perhaps this is time for us to contemplate retiring.’”
For Fleming, the rink retains a long time of reminiscences and is a cherished element of his spouse and children history.
“My father experienced often required to be in the skating small business,” he explained. “He and my mother achieved skating when he was in the services in Chicago.”
The skating rink has been a gathering put for generations — together with some of Hollywood’s elite.
“My brother educated Olivia Newton John for ‘Xanadu,’ and I experienced James Caan for the primary ‘Roller Ball,’” he stated.
But, with the inevitability of closure increasing clearer, the brothers made the decision to offer the beloved rink and give back again to their group at the similar time — calling longtime friend Ken Craft, CEO of Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission.
“We’re standing listed here in Council District 12, and in Council District 12 there is a relatives shelter, but there are no shelter beds for single adults,” Craft explained.
The organization is set to enter into escrow this 7 days. And, with a $6 million bank loan from the city, Skateland will be remodeled into a 100-bed Bridge homeless housing facility wherever folks will remain prior to acquiring a lot more long lasting housing.
“There’ll be psychological health and fitness solutions on web page, there’ll be drug and liquor restoration applications on web-site, lifetime skill classes,” Craft explained. “Everybody which is below will have their personal circumstance supervisor.”
And, Craft reported, the shelter will provide those people living on the streets close by — together with in an encampment currently established up powering the facility.
The Flemings hope to be able to reopen for a number of days early up coming calendar year, if it’s secure, ahead of the facility is renovated to allow people the probability for a person last skate.
Hope of the Valley mentioned it strategies to begin construction in April and be open by this time future calendar year.