United Skates Indy celebrated its grand reopening on Sept. 25 at 175 Southern Plaza Drive, reviving a beloved south‑side skating rink that has served families in Perry Township since 1974. The renovation, completed after a two‑month closure for repairs, adds an indoor playground for children ten and under, a modern arcade, a glow‑in‑the‑dark mural surrounding the rink, and a freshly recoated roller‑rink floor for smoother gliding.
Long‑time Skaters Welcome the Return
Seventy‑year‑old Hulon Mills Sr., who has been rollerskating for 63 years, said the reopening restores a vital gathering place for the neighborhood. “I love to talk to people and love to skate,” Mills said. “It’s something I’m going to always do until the day I cannot walk again.” Mills, who grew up skating at the former Wheels of Wonder, hopes the rink will add a dedicated skating night for seniors, noting that the crowd today is smaller than it was three or four decades ago.
Employee and ticket distributor Terra Woods recalled the rink’s many names over its 52‑year history, including Fun Factory Skating. She sees generations of families returning: “I usually get a whole bunch of my old regulars from back when they were young little teenagers. Now they’re bringing their kids to skate.”
Family‑Friendly Activities and Community Impact
General manager Bri Wozniak said residents were eager to get back on their skates after the brief closure. “They all love it, they care a lot about it. And I know they’re glad to have it,” she said. The rink now offers beginner skating lessons on Sundays from 11 a.m. to noon and on Tuesdays from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., beginning in October.
Local families have already embraced the new amenities. Robyn Embry has brought her three granddaughters to the rink on Friday evenings for the past five years. Her youngest granddaughter began skating at twelve months and is now a confident four‑year‑old. “Now she’s four years old and she’s an amazing skater,” Embry said. Her older granddaughter, 14‑year‑old Karman Williams, enjoys the after‑school fun and the chance to practice partner moves with her sister. “When we come together, we pop out,” Williams said.
Hours, Rentals and Special Events
United Skates Indy is open Tuesday 6 p.m.–8:30 p.m., Friday 6 p.m.–10 p.m., Saturday noon–9:30 p.m., and Sunday noon–9 p.m. The venue is available for private parties and for STEM‑focused school field trips on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. The rink’s fresh look and expanded programming aim to provide a safe, family‑friendly recreation option in a neighborhood that has limited alternatives.
Owned by Ohio‑based United Skates of America, Inc. since its purchase in November 2025, the facility continues to serve as a cultural anchor for the south side, fostering intergenerational connections and encouraging active, wholesome recreation for children, teens and seniors alike.
Original reporting: Mirror Indy — read the source article.
