Paradise Skating Rink in Whitehouse, Texas, on Thursday, March 14, 2019. (Chelsea Purgahn/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

WHITEHOUSE—Teenagers and children are not the only ones who have been getting a kick out of the Paradise Skating Rink.

Since the business opened a few weeks ago, Manager Brandy Pina has met lots of excited adults.

“Parents will come in and they’ll be like ‘when we were a kid it was a big thing,’” she said. “…They’re really excited for their kids to kind of be able to do something they did when they were younger and have that experience.”

Lars Theorine, of Tyler, opened the business at 1212 Texas State Highway 110 in Whitehouse because of the lack of skating rinks in the area.

The building follows a Hawaiian paradise theme that is currently still being incorporated in many of its design aspects. 

From Friday through Sunday, DJs come to lead skaters through games like Red Light-Green Light, Limbo and more.

There is a $7 admission fee on Monday through Thursday, and the cost of admission for parents is waived if they bring their children in before 4 p.m. on these days. Friday through Sunday admission is $12.

“We just want it to be a fun, safe environment for everybody,” Pina said, later adding that an admission fee also helps decrease loitering.  

The price to rent roller skates or roller blades is $3, but customers also have the option to bring their own.

Military discounts, for those who bring their military ID cards, and coupons for parents’ admission fees are also available.

At the business’ concession stand, every item except hot dogs and nachos are currently $1.

Pina said business hours will likely change in the summer and that they are still adjusting many aspects of the business based on customer feedback and what works best.

So far, the rink has a few new fans.

“It’s really good, and there’s lots of room to skate,” Hagen Hagler, 11, of Gilmer said.

TWITTER:@TMT_Augusta

Paradise Skating Rink, at 1212 Texas State Highway 110 in Whitehouse, is currently open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m-12:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday; and 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays. For more information, call 903-279-1946.