Western Skateland — Attraction in Bloomington

What a beautiful floor! I had been going to this rink for almost two years. I have seen the owner being unnecessarily rude to staff, and patrons, both adults, and children, alike. I have seen the owner YELLING at children, for asking common questions? Being familiar with stage lighting, the methods used for hanging the lighting seemed unsure. The venu seems to be built for this type of lighting. The buildings skeleton could be used to create the perfect lighting map. Heavy lighting was hung with seemingly undersized braces.There are track systems made for lighting of this sort, for a reason. Extension cords and lighting seemed to be a possible safety concern. A lot of the staff tries to do their best to make up for the behavior of the management, but for families, it just seems unfriendly. Some of the dj/staff cuts songs in the middle, talks endlessly on the mic, and volume is an issue. You either can't hear it, or its blaring a kiddie song. I suggest headphones. There have been nights I have seen people get ejected for weapons and substance activity. With no security in the parking lot, the lot was not seemingly lit, for safety. The staff does their best to enforce the rules, but are usually way out numbered. I feel like understaffing is the normal path, on the adult nights. Kindness seems to be low on the list of importance, and safety could be better. I had written a past review, because my experiences, with management had been so bad. But, I felt bad and took it down. I did not feel good, letting someone elses behaviors, ignite my own, no matter that the review was 100% my true experience. After 2 months, I went to attempt to skate again. Within seconds the owner approached me with an unsettling, aggressive tone, to convey "If you are going to slander my rink, I don't think we want to serve you." even though I had been ejected without being given any reason. I removed the review, and stated so. "SLANDER" is a VERY LARGE CLAIM. That would imply that my claims were untrue. With assurance, these are 100% my experiences, at this rink. There is no need for false claims here, on my part. So, I said "I'm sorry, I did take it down" to which she repeated herself, in that I was not welcome. I will never understand, what I did in the first place. Every single encounter with her has been an escalation from the previous. None of which I have any idea why. aside from reviewing honestly, I have never done anything to the owner, to my knowledge, to deserve the treatment I get when I go there. I have always been beyond respectful to her, the rink, and the staff, who would happily confirm this claim. This is not about my behavior or wrong doings. I have never been banned, or kicked out of anything, ever. Adult skates might be one's best bet, It just doesn't seem like a place one would want to take their family. ✩Review update: The staff was told that I am banned until further notice. None of them have any idea why. Reasons given being "due to publishing many derogatory statements about how much he dislikes Western Skateland." While I do understand management protecting a business, No reason has ever been given to me, or anyone, I have spoken with. The claim that I dislike it is false. As I have stated multiple times in this review, the staff is great, and the floor is really nice. I do not, and have not ever said that I do not like this rink. I have given an honest review of my experience with Western Skateland, and the issues I saw, that could use attention. That is what a review is for. Is everyone banned after reviewing? To my knowledge, none of the staff has anything negative to say about my presence. The only altercations I have experienced with any staff was the owner asking me to leave, with no reason given. Then after two months, my return was met with a ban, again, no reason given. but the staff is told it is because of my review.The owner has never given reason, only false accusations in response to this review. With plenty of avenues to clear up any misunderstandings, it's clear why a response might...

Very nice employees. The inside was remodeled awhile back, as well as getting new skates to rent out. The carpet and walls now match with a bright, colorful, fun pattern. Has arcade games for the ones who aren't skating. Most arcade games have been there for decades. It also now has a skate shop right inside the building. You can purchase brand new skates, wheels, or minor maintenance there. They have a disco light that they use often. They play games during the skate session like limbo, hokey pokey, and race games. Winners recieve a little prize like a free drink. There is a consession stand where you can buy drinks, popcorn, nachos, candy, bosco sticks, and more. Food and drinks are not allowed past the tiled area in the back. You can rent the back area to have a birthday party during the skate sessions. If your child falls or needs ice for small injury, just ask the lady behind the consession stand. Parents can help beginners in the inside area of the rink, or the "red oval". Helpers can go onto the rink wearing thier regular shoes if they don't have dirt and stuff that will fall off onto the rink. No cell phones or dangly clothing, food, trip hazards out on the skate rink. If you have young children, I do not recommend taking them to the late session that starts at 9pm on the weekends. That is for intermediate skaters. Lots of people skating fast and music thst isn't cut- or radio friendly- makes for a questionable environment for younger ones. They do have an employee/s out skating on the rink that keep an eye out on skaters. If needed, they blow a whistle to get your attention (over loud music), and tell you what needs changed or help people who fall. Usually minor things like cell phones for pictures are out on the rink when it is a hazard. When you arrive, you tell the person behind the window how many people you are paying for, and how many need to rent skates or brought there own. If you need to rent skates, he hands you a ticket. You go into the building and take your shoes off then go up to the appropriate window, marked "boys" and "girls" or "men" and "women". Give them your ticket and shoes, tell them the size needed. He takes your shoes and ticket and hands you the skates. The price went up from $5 per skater, $4 if you bring your own skates (has to have wheels never used on concrete or outside) up to $8 per skater, $6 if you bring your own skates. If I could give a 4.5 rating, I would. The price is still decent and affordable, but at the price of $5 for decades children all over our community could easily earn $5 and go skating. That little extra cost could potentially be a barrier for those who earn thier way, or parents with multiple children. Overall it is a fun, safe way to pass the time that also provides "excersize" when younger ones don't even...

This was the worst experience I have ever had!!! When we arrived for my 7 year old niece’s birthday at 2pm the door was still locked so we stood outside talking and welcoming guests. Sarah opened the door for us a short time later, we all walked in. She didn’t even say hello or happy birthday instead she said “do you have your $60 deposit and a list of who all these kids are that just walked in with out paying?” My sister did indeed have a list and her money ready. Sarah was rude and hostile the whole time. She even told my sister she needed a list of all the adults that would be skating with their kids because people couldn’t just skate and not pay! We had no problem paying for the people skating but she didn’t even let us Put our stuff down before she started getting rude with my sister who was trying to give her the list of people that would be skating. At this point my sister said “have we done something wrong because you seem very upset and if we have I’m sorry.” She replied “ maybe I should just lock the doors and let people in one at time to make sure everyone pays and doesn’t just do what they want.” The group of party goers that had arrived so far we’re all nicely setting in the seating are wait to be told how to get our skates and stuff, it was not like people were running around and being crazy or anything! AND we were the only people in the whole place!! At this point my brother in law said “maybe we should just leave because I don’t think they want us here, this is crazy!” Sarah said “ I have other customers to deal with do whatever you want!” All the parents present we’re just as shocked as us and my poor sister was in tears saying “I don’t understand what we did wrong I was trying to pay and giver her the list and she just kept yelling at me!” My 7 year old niece was in tears at this point too. We walked back out to the lobby to leave only to find Sarah yelling at one of our guests as well. Our guest was saying “we literally just walked in and are planing to pay, why are you being so rude. You have no reason to talk to me like you are!” At this point one of the parents present walked over to the bowling ally to see if they could accommodate us and they said “of course!” We all ended up going next door and we have a good time. I just could not believe how rude the people were at this place and for no reason!!! I would not give them a penny of my money! Several of the parents present even said they were planning to book their kids party’s there until they witnessed Sarah in all her glory! DO NOT GIVE THIS PlACE YOUR MONEY!!! Horrible customer service! This Sarah lady is not someone that should be dealing with the public, zero...