MOUNT MORRIS – Growing up, Oregon native Rebecca Jones used to go skating at the White Pines Roller Skating Center.
As of Dec. 23, she now owns it.
“Oh my gosh, yes,” she said with a laugh when asked if she skated there when she was growing up. “I spent a lot of time here when I was a kid.”
The roller rink, located at 6929 W. Pines Road, fits perfectly with her other businesses. On April 1, 2019, Jones became the owner of the Pine Creek Canyon Wedding venue, three acres next to the venue, office space and the Pine Creek Cabins. The area is now Pine Creek Escape. Adding the skating center means she now owns 12 acres in that area.
“It kind of romantically fits into my portfolio,” Jones said, adding that she never thought she would own a skating rink.
She said her plan is to keep it open as a skating center for people to enjoy.
The rink first opened in 1947, and Jones said it still has its original marble floor.
“It’s in impeccable shape,” she said. “Not one crack in it.”
Jones bought the property from Dave and Maggie Johnson. Dave purchased the business in 1984 and had run it since, but Jones said the couple had moved to Tennessee.
“I had a feeling that they were thinking about selling this property,” Jones said.
And now she owns a business with deep roots in the community and her own family. Not only did Jones skate there as a kid, but her grandmother also skated there throughout high school. Her grandmother’s sister even met her husband at the rink.
The rink is open Friday 7-10 p.m., Saturday 1-5 p.m. and 7- 11 p.m. and Sunday 1-4 p.m. It is also open for a variety of special events and is for rent for private parties and events.
The space also has a concession stand and a full arcade.
Jones said he main goal for now is to clean up the front entrance and continue to operate, “a safe, fun place where kids can be active instead of sitting in front of a TV.”
