Do you and your girlfriend or boyfriend have a date night? Are you growing weary of the same old dinner and a movie? Maybe you are involved in a student organization and want to do something unique as a group. Why not break the monotony and go roller skating?
Located on 930 West Watauga Ave. in Johnson City is the Johnson City Family Skate Center. The Family Skate Center provides a pleasant environment for those who are on dates or hanging out with a group of close friends.
The Skate Center provides a fun activity where individuals can physically exert themselves while socializing with those around them. According to owners Randy and Cheryl Medley, a diverse demographic come to the skate center. Fraternities and sororities, church groups, sports entities and even Olive Garden staff have graced the roller rink floor according to the owners.
All ages come to the Skate Center for fun, exercise and socializing.
The Skate Center is an open spacious environment. It has plenty of room for skaters. Four hundred patrons can skate on the rink, said Randy Medley. The Skate Center has an eating area, table games such as pool and air hockey, skeeball, arcade games, other miscellaneous games, and lockers for your personal items. A live DJ is present on Friday and Saturday nights.
The Skate Center sells finger foods and some cooked foods. Food and drinks may be purchased at anytime. Alcoholic beverages are not allowed nor sold in the facility. Smoking is not permitted either.
The table games take quarters and the other ones take tokens, which provide tickets that can be redeemed for trinkets and such. Besides renting skates, you may also purchase skates there or order a pair that can be shipped to the Skate Center in two or three days.
How much will it cost? It depends. Entrance fees usually ranges from $2 to $5 per person depending on what day it is and what kind of special is running.
Skating games make the day or night more enjoyable. Crash and Burn, The Hokey Pokey, Limbo, Cone courses, line dances and races break up the continuous circling with laughter and competition.
Crash and Burn is a game in which everyone can participate. When the music stops, everyone falls down and rises when the music begins. Races are usually done by age group. Lap races and elimination races occur. The winner of these competitions may win prizes such as free drinks or free admission passes.
The Skate Center caters to fundraisers, private parties and other functions. Fundraising activities are usually scheduled Monday through Thursday for two to three hours.
The money arrangements are made between you and the owners where both parties receive revenue. Church groups, cheerleading squads and Greek organizations have used roller skating to raise money. Private parties can also be booked. Even though it is private, alcohol and smoking are still not permitted. The cost of private parties varies depending on the time you want the facility, how many people will be coming and the date. “The recent private party he had was a 1980’s theme party,” Randy Medley said. “The facility is open for anything as long as it is legitimate.”
The Skate Center is open at varying times. It will be open Oct. 11 and 13 from noon-4 p.m. and 6:30-8:30 p.m., Oct. 14 from noon-4 p.m. and 7-11 p.m., and Oct. 15 from noon-4:30 p.m. and 7-11 p.m.
For those of you who cannot skate, private and group lessons are available. You can find out more information by e-mailing owner Cheryl Medley at ckilbourne@juno.com or by calling the Skate Center at 926-2726. The Family Skate Center is at 930 W. Watauga Ave.

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