Hot Wheels Skate Center

Fun for the Family

By Michelle Martin

Roller skating is a family affair for Ryan and Whitney Finley, and they want it to be a part of your family as well. As the new owners of Hot Wheels Skate Center in Woodstock, Ryan and Whitney are improving the skating rink from the inside-out to provide a safe, affordable recreational and entertainment venue that is fun for the entire family.

Ryan and Whitney Finley bought Hot Wheels Skate Center this past October, after operating three family-owned skating rinks in Kentucky for several years. Like their two young daughters now, Ryan "grew up at the local skating rink," he says. "My family has been in the roller skating business for three generations, starting with my grandfather, then my dad, and now my sister and me. My sister and I were always at the skating rink after school and on weekends. We skated together as a family and with our friends. Roller skating is what everyone did for fun growing up. It means a lot to us to provide that same opportunity for families in Cherokee County today."

Since taking over Hot Wheels Skate Center, Ryan and Whitney have made interior and exterior improvements to enhance the facility. "When we bought Hot Wheels Skate Center, we surveyed our customers to find out what kind of improvements they wanted," Whitney says. "The biggest complaints were about the carpet and the pizza. So, we gave everything a deep cleaning, including the carpet and bathrooms; painted the interior and exterior of the building with the fun Hot Wheels design; and updated the concessions menu with a new, better-tasting pizza sauce and cheese. The response has been great. Our customers have said they're really happy that we are here and are excited about all the improvements."

Another issue that Whitney and Ryan addressed was safety. They want the skating rink to be a safe, fun environment where parents feel comfortable bringing their children. "We take children's safety seriously," Whitney says. "We have a floor guard to make sure skaters don't skate too fast or too close and put other skaters at risk of injury. We also monitor the door no one under age 18 is allowed to exit the facility without an adult." A police officer also is on site three days a week, just for added security. "Children want a place where they can have fun just with their friends, and parents need reassurance that their kids are safe. Hot Wheels Skate Center is both fun and safe for kids," she adds. "Many parents have told us that they appreciate the extra measures we have taken to make this a fun, safe place for their children."

Whitney says it was important to them to design Hot Wheels Skate Center as a skating rink that children and adults alike can enjoy together. In addition to roller skating, Hot Wheels Skate Center offers a variety of activities for all ages, including six new ticket-redemption games, an air hockey table, pool tables, a photo booth and a DJ playing a mix of popular music from the '70s through today's hits. "We want to be a positive influence," Whitney says, "so we play only family-friendly music no bad language or lyrics that promote violence." Additional features coming soon will include arcade games like Pac-Man and televisions as well.

Hot Wheels Skate Center also offers skating lessons, is available for birthday parties and private events, and hosts special "theme" activities. During the school year, "School Spirit Night" on Tuesdays allows students to skate at a reduced rate, with $1 for every student donated back to the school. "Adult Skate Night," held the first Monday night of each month, is designed to give adults a fun night of skating by themselves, without kids. On Wednesday "Family Fun Night," admission is just $1 and skate rental only $2 each. Hot Wheels Skate Center also offers a special "Family Pack," with admission only $15 for a family of three to five. "Most people enjoyed roller skating when they were kids, and being able to enjoy it again as adults brings back good memories," Ryan says. "They love that they can come out as a family now and enjoy roller skating together, creating new memories."

Ryan and Whitney also partner with community organizations, dentists and physicians, schools and churches to promote roller skating as a fun, healthy activity. The "Roller Roo" roller skating mascot often makes special appearances throughout the community, giving skating passes to reward good dental and physician checkups, to promote reading and to reward other good behavior. Ryan, whose first job was as the "Roller Roo" mascot, says roller skating is more than just an activity, though. "Roller skating is about bringing families together and building a relationship with those families. It has been so rewarding to get to know so many families and to play a part in providing a fun activity that they can enjoy together for years to come."

228 Farm Ridge Drive, N.E.
Woodstock
770-592-4688
HotWheelsSkateCenter.com

• Open daily
• Safe, family-friendly fun
• Private events
• Skating lessons
• Concessions
• Recently updated

Hours
Monday-Friday: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m.-11 p.m.
Sunday: 2-6 p.m.

Specials
Adult Skate: First Monday of each month, 6:00-10:00 p.m.
$1 Skate Night: Wednesday, 5:00-8:00 p.m.