Both courtesy of Google Map. It was Skatez as you can tell with the sign on the left of the above photo. Do you see the doors? Why have exact copies of 2 sets of front doors? Was it another business there?
Courtesy of I'll Skate through Google Images. Beautiful logo design. I love the look of it. Refreshing.. It is excellent work that all designers should take a look at this.
Courtesy of Google Map March 2019. Sad its all quiet with two vehicles there. This was the I'll Skate as you can see on the wall.
All courtesy of I'll Skate through Google Images. Beautiful inside. Some really feel homely. Comfortable. That is the single word I would describe this place. Sadly, they are closed for good.
Opelousas Skate Center 1427 West Linwood Drive, Site A, Opelousas, LA
Skatez 1427 West Linwood Drive, Site A, Opelousas, LA
I’ll Skate 1427 West Linwood Drive, Site A, Opelousas, LA
Skatez 1427 West Linwood Drive, Site A, Opelousas, LA
I’ll Skate 1427 West Linwood Drive, Site A, Opelousas, LA
There were three rinks at the 1427 West Linwood Drive in Opelousas, Louisiana. They were I'll Skate, Skatez, and Opeleusas Skate Center. The most unusual I ever believe for a name is I'll Skate. Yes, that was the name of the rink. I'll Skate. It is a mystery why they name such a rink that way. I am sure there are more to find. Like the GR8 SK8 which is a texting jargon name for Great Skate. Image a child asks mommy, "Mommy, I wanna skate at I'll Skate tonight." She would go, "What?" Maybe this is result of change of name because of the that. Who knows what the real reason for the name change.
Website is defunct however, only one was found in Rink Time website which lists like Dead-Rinks would do.
Now an appeal store.
What was it before 2001 since the building was built in 1985. Was it a rink there before them? Good question!
The Interior.
There was a Maple floor looks like it was clear coated. Not sure. And the walls were Royal Blue. And the seating were along the wall by the rink. That is common with many open rink floor concept that some other rinks like in NYS are required to have such half-walls. But this one did not. Only at the end.
The interior is pretty heavy on Blue and blueness. And it really divided into three sections. The Snack bar/eating area has more light and brightness with white picnic tables while the second section is more of woodsy feel. That is where the skate rental, and something else I could not tell in the background in that one photo above. What is that between the skate rental and the wall where the emergency exit is located.
I love that section because it feels very different atmosphere than where the rink is and the eating area. Very cabinetary feel. Something looks like out of a theme park store I have been to. Yes, several of them have that look. I cannot pinpoint where but that is the feel. And with that soft light. Makes you feel at home.
Funny, it is not in the eating area! Coulda shoulda have had it wood done that way.
What more interesting was that they kind of had a path there. The half rail is made of Pine wood as well as the decorative walls near it such as the Skate rental area.
When you go by that, you go noticed the path turns toward to the side of the rink and change your shoes to skates and put the shoes and jackets in the shelves. No lockers! All open! That is an old school style locker made of wood and are shelves. Not like the other rinks that you have to pay quarters in to put your belongings in and lock them up. I am not sure if this rink ever thought of crimes in the rink that anyone could steal expensive big name branded shoes or jackets. Even what about bags? I take those people quickly to learn to put them in the trunk of their cars.
The Exterior.
Free-Span Steel Truss Steel-Walled Warehouse Building with Gable roof. It appears to be Pale Yellow or Off White. Excellent ADA accessibility at all doors which first off impress me seeing this place which was a small business which usually does not need ADA accessibility unless it has 24 employees or more.
The downside of that was why they have entire sets of doors so close to the doors under the canopy for? It does not look like it was for entire place as if it was a split. I am not sure. Whatever was the reason. It did not look right when it was Skatez and I'll Skate ownership and I am sure with Opelousas Skate Center as well. If I knew the floor plan, I would have figure out why. I have been to 17 different rinks. It did show exact where and why those fire exits and main front doors or side front doors would be located. Had I was be able to visit, I would have figure out why. Anyone has blue prints? It would be nice to have those blue prints!
It appears that the official name, Opelousas Skate Center had an "AKA" Skatez. So, apparently one and the same. OSC must be the parent business operator of that specific rink as Skatez. Weylin Blanchard operated this rink since 2001 till its closure.
It sits behind another business off the main road there. The nature--trees, land of grass divided the commercial properties from residences. It still exposes toward private residences with noise instead of hidden away. Many rinks are or were exposed to such neighborhood anyway.
The Stats:
Rink Size: N/A. Floor: Clear coated Maple some kind of varnish faded. Floor Layout: Fan..
Building Size: 20,000 SF. Built: 1985. Demolished: Still standing.
Type of Building: Free-Span Steel Truss Steel-Walled Warehouse Building.
Roof: Gable.
Acres: 1 Acres.
Operated: N/A to 2019.
Opelousas Skate Center: 2001 to 2019
Skatez: 2001 to c. 2010s. (nickname for Opelousas)
I'll Skate: c. 2010s to 2019
Reason for Closure: N/A.
Opelousas Skate Center: N/A.
Skatez: N/A.
I'll Skate: N/A.
Wanted: Information regarding photos of interior, exterior, exact dates of all 3 rinks. Why closed, size of rink itself, why those doors sets closely to the main door and it looks duplicated? Since this building was built in 1985, was there another rink before 2001? If so, what?
Anyone has pictures and/or information please let me know at [email protected]. Thank you.
Sources: Yelp, Yellow Pages, Dun & Bradstreet, Super Pages - All American Apperal Limited,
Loop Net, Rink Time - Opelousas Skating Rink,
© 2019-2020 Copyrighted by Dead-Rinks. All Rights Reserved. God Matters. Ps 86:10.
Website is defunct however, only one was found in Rink Time website which lists like Dead-Rinks would do.
Now an appeal store.
What was it before 2001 since the building was built in 1985. Was it a rink there before them? Good question!
The Interior.
There was a Maple floor looks like it was clear coated. Not sure. And the walls were Royal Blue. And the seating were along the wall by the rink. That is common with many open rink floor concept that some other rinks like in NYS are required to have such half-walls. But this one did not. Only at the end.
The interior is pretty heavy on Blue and blueness. And it really divided into three sections. The Snack bar/eating area has more light and brightness with white picnic tables while the second section is more of woodsy feel. That is where the skate rental, and something else I could not tell in the background in that one photo above. What is that between the skate rental and the wall where the emergency exit is located.
I love that section because it feels very different atmosphere than where the rink is and the eating area. Very cabinetary feel. Something looks like out of a theme park store I have been to. Yes, several of them have that look. I cannot pinpoint where but that is the feel. And with that soft light. Makes you feel at home.
Funny, it is not in the eating area! Coulda shoulda have had it wood done that way.
What more interesting was that they kind of had a path there. The half rail is made of Pine wood as well as the decorative walls near it such as the Skate rental area.
When you go by that, you go noticed the path turns toward to the side of the rink and change your shoes to skates and put the shoes and jackets in the shelves. No lockers! All open! That is an old school style locker made of wood and are shelves. Not like the other rinks that you have to pay quarters in to put your belongings in and lock them up. I am not sure if this rink ever thought of crimes in the rink that anyone could steal expensive big name branded shoes or jackets. Even what about bags? I take those people quickly to learn to put them in the trunk of their cars.
The Exterior.
Free-Span Steel Truss Steel-Walled Warehouse Building with Gable roof. It appears to be Pale Yellow or Off White. Excellent ADA accessibility at all doors which first off impress me seeing this place which was a small business which usually does not need ADA accessibility unless it has 24 employees or more.
The downside of that was why they have entire sets of doors so close to the doors under the canopy for? It does not look like it was for entire place as if it was a split. I am not sure. Whatever was the reason. It did not look right when it was Skatez and I'll Skate ownership and I am sure with Opelousas Skate Center as well. If I knew the floor plan, I would have figure out why. I have been to 17 different rinks. It did show exact where and why those fire exits and main front doors or side front doors would be located. Had I was be able to visit, I would have figure out why. Anyone has blue prints? It would be nice to have those blue prints!
It appears that the official name, Opelousas Skate Center had an "AKA" Skatez. So, apparently one and the same. OSC must be the parent business operator of that specific rink as Skatez. Weylin Blanchard operated this rink since 2001 till its closure.
It sits behind another business off the main road there. The nature--trees, land of grass divided the commercial properties from residences. It still exposes toward private residences with noise instead of hidden away. Many rinks are or were exposed to such neighborhood anyway.
The Stats:
Rink Size: N/A. Floor: Clear coated Maple some kind of varnish faded. Floor Layout: Fan..
Building Size: 20,000 SF. Built: 1985. Demolished: Still standing.
Type of Building: Free-Span Steel Truss Steel-Walled Warehouse Building.
Roof: Gable.
Acres: 1 Acres.
Operated: N/A to 2019.
Opelousas Skate Center: 2001 to 2019
Skatez: 2001 to c. 2010s. (nickname for Opelousas)
I'll Skate: c. 2010s to 2019
Reason for Closure: N/A.
Opelousas Skate Center: N/A.
Skatez: N/A.
I'll Skate: N/A.
Wanted: Information regarding photos of interior, exterior, exact dates of all 3 rinks. Why closed, size of rink itself, why those doors sets closely to the main door and it looks duplicated? Since this building was built in 1985, was there another rink before 2001? If so, what?
Anyone has pictures and/or information please let me know at [email protected]. Thank you.
Sources: Yelp, Yellow Pages, Dun & Bradstreet, Super Pages - All American Apperal Limited,
Loop Net, Rink Time - Opelousas Skating Rink,
© 2019-2020 Copyrighted by Dead-Rinks. All Rights Reserved. God Matters. Ps 86:10.