Washington Skateland

In 1971, Dr. Warren Nichols started toying with the idea of bringing a roller skating rink to Washington. Nichols had constructed his Washington Veterinary Clinic and Canine Country Club buildings in 1967 on School Street, moving from his original spot next to Unkle Woody's restaurant on Peoria Street.

By 1973, Nichols was ready to move forward. In the spring of that year, he had part of his property rezoned to commercial for the construction of the new roller rink. Work commenced, and the grand opening of the new $100K plus rink was held on Sunday, November 11, 1974. It was the first roller skating rink to open in the Peoria area since the 1950s.

The business hosted afternoon hours early on for seniors and small children but quickly ended after proving unpopular with most skaters.  One rule that did not end was that spectators were not allowed.  Outside of parents of child skaters, if you were there, you were there to skate. 

Early on, the rink held skating competitions and offered skating lessons, but in the 1980s, the business took on a more corporate approach, and most of the frills outside of a general skate went away.

Skateland participated in a skate-a-thon in conjunction with the Jerry Lewis Telethon for Muscular Dystrophy for many years.

Skateland proved to be a wonderful place for childhood memories for Washington youth.  Birthday parties, school parties, scout parties, or just going with your friends, those who spent time at Skateland have fond recollections of the concession stand, moonlight skate, hokey pokey, four corners game, and arcade games.

The Washington Skateland closed its doors in 1991, replaced by Countryside Banquet Facility, which still exists today.

In 2020, the Washington Bicentennial offered a throwback T-shirt as a fundraiser for the 2025 celebration honoring the longtime Washington business.

Although Skateland was the first roller skating rink in the Peoria area since the 1950s, it was not the first roller skating rink in the history of Washington.  A rink called the Diamond Skating Rink existed on Zinser Place from roughly 1882 to 1907 in the general area where Threads Hope & Love is now.  Also, during two summers (1931 and 1941), a tented rink was set up on the east side of town by a seasonal traveling company.  This was located on Sullivan Field, now the location of a large storage facility business across from St. Patrick School. 

Skateland was "the place to be" where you could roll to the Bee Gees, Journey, REO Speedwagon, or Madonna. Those who were there remember it like it was yesterday. Whether you were there every weekend or just for events, it was a special place for Washington youth. Just ask them.