Skateland Closes to Become Bridge Housing

Roller rink Skateland has permanently closed after six decades, with the Northridge building slated to become a bridge housing facility through the nonprofit Hope of the Valley.“We would like to thank you, our loyal skaters, for your love and support over the past 63 years that Skateland has been in business,” the business said in a statement on social media last week. “The building that housed Skateland and brought countless lifetime memories to millions of roller skaters over the years will be converted by Hope of the Valley, a faith-based independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, into a bridge-housing facility to get the homeless in the community, back on their feet and into the workforce.”Skateland owners Michael and David Flemming originally approached Hope of the Valley late last year after months of closures caused by the coronavirus. Wanting to continue their family legacy of giving back, they worked with the nonprofit to come up with a way to use the property to help address the current homelessness crisis and a way for them to make a lasting difference for others. Plans were finalized last week.An online auction of fixtures and flooring pieces from the skating rink has begun, with 20 percent of all proceeds going toward Hope of the Valley.