It’s been two years since the Perdue family took over Skate Zone in Wetumpka. And it’s been open for more than two decades, providing families and children a place to have fun.
Recent renovations have added to the appeal.
PHOTOS: Skate Zone renovations
“We are trying to provide a fun environment for families to come out and enjoy themselves,” Gardner Perdue said. “We want to keep it for families to have a place to come.”
The basics of two skating rings and games are improved.
“We put in all new lighting and sound for the main floor,” Perdue said. “We redid the floor putting numbers in, a racing stripe finishing line and created new spaces for games.”
The new paint on the floor means no more cones for games.
Bo Pittman’s large painting along the main floor representing area high schools is still there. Perdue added new black lights to skating areas to make the experience unique.
“The walls are so much lighter than they were,” Perdue said. “The murals that have been here look so good under the new lights.”
Perdue added to what Skatezone creators Charles and Sherry Cole started more than two decades ago. First the white ceiling and lighting over the game area was transformed to match the ambiance of the skate floor.
“We poly foamed the ceiling and painted it black,” Perdue said. “We took most of the lighting down and put big house lights in for cleaning.”
A mirrored ball, lighting and a movie screen were added to the children’s rink.
A storage area was converted to usable space — a room for parents and another, the Glow Room for parties under black lights.
“The Parent Trap is meant to be mostly kid free,” Perdue said. “It allows parents to get away a little and relax while their children are right there on the floor. The kids can come in for a quick drink but need to be out skating pretty soon.”
Perdue said Skatezone reopened about three weeks ago after being closed for October.
“Everyone likes it,” Perdue said. “We have heard nothing but good things about the changes.”
Some work is still under way. Perdue is adding a movie screen that can be seen on the main floor.
“When I get the camera in, it will show people skating,” Perdue said.
Skatezone is open for line dancing Monday and Wednesday morning and evening. The Montgomery Roller Derby practices at the skating rink Tuesdays. The rest of the time is open to skating. Some time slots are reserved just for adults.
