Published: June 25, 2009 08:00 pm      

Skating Rink gets a facelift

By Janet Jacobs

Daily Sun



Kitt Stevens has purchased the skating rink, formerly Xtreme Skate, at 303 S. Seventh St., and is renovating it to open within the next month.

Stevens, who purchased the old Emhouse school in order to turn it into a castle, took on the new project to help create a fun, safe outlet for local kids.

“The children who helped me in Emhouse came to me, devastated, and said ‘Kitt, the roller skating rink is closing, will you buy it?’ and I said ‘no, I’ve got a castle to build.’”

However, after seeing the inroads of drugs on local youth, she reconsidered.

Now, she’s got local teens working on the renovations, doing everything from cleaning to oiling the skates.

“I’m just trying to give children something to do,” Stevens said.

Her plan is to reopen the skating rink within a month or so. The renovation will include new carpeting along the sidelines, a refurbished skating floor, a smashing new sound system, and a stage for live bands. The air conditioner and lights have been repaired, and every inch of the property is undergoing a thorough cleaning and de-mousing, Stevens said.

The rink’s name is being changed from X-treme Skate, to Corsicana Skating Rink, to reflect the new owner’s belief that the center needs to belong to the whole community.

“I need some people interested in what I’m doing,” Stevens said. “This community needs a skating rink.”

Stevens worked in auto glass in Dallas for years, but the rink is her new commercial interest.

“This is not going to be a big money making business,” she said, adding. “This time, I want to do something fun.”

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Janet Jacobs may be reached via e-mail at jacobs@corsicanadailysun.com. Want to “Soundoff” on this story? E-mail: soundoff@corsicanadailysun.com