LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) — A San Fernando Valley skating rink that has been shut for almost 8 months since of the coronavirus pandemic will shut completely and be transformed into a homeless shelter.
Skateland Northridge at 18140 Parthenia Road has been a preferred of San Fernando Valley families for additional than 60 many years and is a single of the previous of Southern California’s roller skating rinks. But, like other indoor leisure facilities, it was forced to shut down in March because of to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“And that compelled closure for 8 months just wrecked our small business,” David Fleming, who owns Skateland with his brother Mike, reported. “And so we begun to believe about, ‘Well, you know, possibly this is time for us to consider retiring.’”
For Fleming, the rink retains decades of reminiscences and is a cherished part of his spouse and children background.
“My father experienced usually preferred to be in the skating business enterprise,” he stated. “He and my mom fulfilled skating when he was in the company in Chicago.”
The skating rink has been a gathering place for generations — such as some of Hollywood’s elite.
“My brother properly trained Olivia Newton John for ‘Xanadu,’ and I educated James Caan for the unique ‘Roller Ball,’” he reported.
But, with the inevitability of closure escalating clearer, the brothers decided to offer the beloved rink and give again to their neighborhood at the exact same time — contacting longtime pal 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 spouse and children shelter, but there are no shelter beds for one older people,” Craft said.
The corporation is established to enter into escrow this 7 days. And, with a $6 million mortgage from the city, Skateland will be reworked into a 100-bed Bridge homeless housing facility where men and women will stay prior to locating far more permanent housing.
“There’ll be psychological health and fitness providers on website, there’ll be drug and liquor recovery plans on web page, lifetime skill courses,” Craft explained. “Everybody which is here will have their have circumstance manager.”
And, Craft explained, the shelter will provide individuals living on the streets nearby — together with in an encampment at present set up at the rear of the facility.
The Flemings hope to be equipped to reopen for a number of days early up coming yr, if it is safe and sound, prior to the facility is renovated to make it possible for persons the prospect for just one final skate.
Hope of the Valley said it strategies to start out development in April and be open by this time next year.