By Jennifer Edwards
The Cincinnati Enquirer

WEST CHESTER TWP. - Two skating facilities are opening at Union Centre Boulevard, one that debuts today and another scheduled to open Nov. 1.

Skatetown USA opens at 9:30 a.m. at Union Centre Boulevard and Ohio 747.

The $3 million, 57,000-square-foot facility with two rinks has an expanded video arcade, a Noble Roman's pizza, full-service concession area, a pro shop, lockers, and 750 new pairs of inline and roller rental skates.

Skatetown offers both roller-skating and inline skating, making it the only dual facility rink in the state, according to general manager Ken Roesel.

"We are probably the largest in the country," he added.

On the east side of I-75 off Union Centre, an outdoor community ice skating rink is scheduled to open Nov. 1 in a new $100 million lifestyle center with a movie theater.

Young parents say they are thrilled with the new amenities, particularly the state-of-the-art indoor rink. They plan to spend weekends and free time at the rinks with their children or coaching others.

"I've lived in West Chester for nine years and it is a credit to West Chester that these are the kinds of quality businesses being lured to the township," said Mario Cicchinelli, 46, the father of three children, ages 14, 11 and 9. He also is the head coach of Lakota West High School's inline hockey team.

"Kids are getting into more of these skating activities," he said. "Skatetown USA offers inline skating, which many people aren't familiar with. But kids are trying to get involved into more of those types of sports instead of football and basketball."

The outdoor rink, called "Ice at the Streets," will be 60 feet wide by 90 feet long and operate each year for four months, November through February, next to Barnes & Noble bookstore, which opens in March.

The lifestyle center, called The Streets of West Chester, also has restaurants and is gaining eateries P.F. Chang's, Mitchell's Fish Market and Panera Bread next year.

"We expected the mixed use of tenants and restaurants to be a success. The combination attracts people who want to be entertained and well-fed and want to have fun," said Ruth Milligan, spokesperson for Continental Retail Development of Columbus. "We expect the ice rink to only add to those existing options."

Continental is exploring uses for the ice rink during the warmer months. A community park is one of the likely prospects, Milligan said.

"It will not be replaced with retail," she said.

Rinks skate into West Chester

Skatetown USA, formerly Golden Skate, holds its grand opening for the public today at 8730 North Pavillion Drive off Union Centre Boulevard and Ohio 747 after decades of operating in Sharonville.

Skate rentals range from $2 to $5.

Hours of operation to the public: 10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays; 6 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays; 9:30 p.m. to midnight Thursdays; 5 p.m. to midnight Fridays; 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturdays and 12:30 p .m. to 1 a.m. Sundays.

Details: contact General Manager Ken Roesel: (513) 874-9855

Ice at the Streets

The rink will keep flexible hours but generally operate from 4 pm. to 10 p.m. weekdays during school days and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekends and school holidays.

Rental skates, ice safety guards and concession services will be provided.

Admission to the rink for an unlimited skating period will be $5 per person. Skate rental costs $2 per person, per rental.

Details: contact Manager Carl Starnes at (513) 755-2734.

E-mail: jedwards@enquirer.com.