Photo by Lukas Schroeder on Unsplash

Northridge Skateland has officially closed its doors after providing our community a fun and welcoming space to express ourselves and create sweet memories for over 60 years. Per the request of Skateland's owners, the Fleming family, it is being turned into a shelter that will help homeless single adults, which is desperately needed here and will make a positive impact. 

Skateland was a Los Angeles landmark and a treasure for Northridge residents and the entire Valley. If you grew up here, your school most likely had a fundraiser night at Skateland at some point. For many people, Skateland was also known as "First Kiss Land." A place many enjoyed going to as kids and then got to take their own kids and even grandkids. It's so hard to imagine the community not having a skating rink anymore when we need it more than ever. With Skateland gone, we now have very few roller skating rinks left in Los Angeles and virtually none in the Valley. Recreational skating rinks are a safe haven for people of all ages and backgrounds, and are a great source of community-building. Skating has also been linked to improving mental health. 

I started this petition to ask local representatives to consider opening a new skating rink in Northridge with the help of residents and the skating community. If they see that there's a genuine interest, they might help us connect with investors and funds that can help with the startup costs. I also started a GoFundMe page where Angelenos (and skaters anywhere) can donate for the rink. There can and should be a rink that we can all enjoy for years to come. A roller skating boom started long before the pandemic and it's only increasing in popularity. I know many heartbroken skaters would love to have a rink in Northridge again. It's what the neighborhood was known for for decades. There are plenty of unoccupied spaces in the area that could be transformed into a beautiful indoor retro roller skating rink. 

Please help make this happen by signing and sharing this petition and contacting your representatives to let them know you want a roller skating rink back in the community. Thank you!