Johnstown Skate-N-Swim rolling again

The Johnstown Skate-N-Swim has been reopened under new management.

Shane and Betsy Langley and their 18-year-old daughter, Hannah, have taken over the skating rink at 143 Edwards Road.

The Christian family say they're keeping the "old-school" style of the skating rink and are making the rink family-friendly.

"We'd always wanted a family business, and things just fell into place," Shane Langley said. "We're a tight family, and whether it's riding motorcycles or running a business, we do it together."

Before the Langleys reopened the business March 15, the business had been closed for about a year.

The Skate-N-Swim originally opened in 1981.

"There were a few little things that needed to be fixed but nothing major, Betsy Langley said. "The previous owner left it in good condition."

Betsy and Shane Langley said their goal is to keep the business the same as it was and to "let the good times roll."

"Everyone in town has memories of the Skate-N-Swim," Shane Langley said. "Even our church pastor was both a DJ and a lifeguard growing up."

The Langleys expect their main challenge to be in keeping their prices low. Currently, it is $4 to enter and $4 to rent skates.

People are allowed to bring their own skates.

Skate Zone 71 in Columbus costs $8 to enter and $4 to rent skates.

For the family, February was a month of excitement about the new business but also a lot of personal difficulties.

Shane had back surgery the second week in February. The water pipes in their house froze. On Feb. 26, Hannah was in a car accident in which she slid on ice and rolled her truck five times. She was flown to Grant Medical Center, having suffered a concussion, a broken nose, two broken fingers and nerve damage.She had nine stitches.

Hannah has recovered, for the most part, she said, and proudly calls herself a co-owner and the resident disc jockey of the skating rink.

When two young girls entered to skate, Hannah raced up to the DJ booth and switched the 1980s Pandora station that was playing to the Disney Frozen soundtrack.

With the weather warming, they're working with the health department to open the pool soon. Shane said everyone is interested in the pool, and they hope to have it open for Memorial Day weekend.

The Langleys say they have many ideas for the future, such as using the rink for line dancing, Zumba, karaoke, skating or skating times during the day for home-schooled students.

The skating rink is available for parties and special events.

"We've already had several parties, and everyone has had such a great time," Shane said. "Just last week, we had a party of 31 girls, and they all had on neon shirts and mismatched brightly colored socks."

The skating rink will play host to a donation-only fundraiser for the Langleys' church, Faith Fellowship, from 2 to 5 p.m. April 26, and the money will go toward the summer mission trip to Belize.

The Langleys said their faith influences everything about the business.

"We're taking a risk here, but we're putting all of our worries into prayer, and our church is also praying for us," Shane said. "They have been very supportive of us."

Sunday is family day, which means discounted admission and Christian music is played.

Shane said he loves working with people and wants to make the business people-friendly.

"As long as we can keep it clean and keep people happy, then I know we'll make it," he said.