The Skate Palace

Owner: Arthur Stout

Address: 1600 Cheri Whitlock Drive,

Siloam Springs,

Phone: 524-0922

Hours: 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Monday-Thursday; 9 p.m.-12 a.m., Friday-Saturday; 1:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Sunday.

Start-Up Date: Dec. 31

Arthur Stout dreamed for years of opening his own skating rink, but his grand opening did not occur until New Year’s Eve.

Stout is the owner of The Skate Palace in Siloam Springs, a full-service skating rink that also offers arcade games, pool tables and a snack bar. The 10,000-SF rink is located in a new 20,000-SF building, and the floor is lit with 14 mirror balls, 16 spotlights and a variety of colored lights. The rink also has laser lights and a fog machine.

Stout runs the rink with his wife, Diana, and three daughters: Dayna, 19; Dalana, 15; and Danica, 13. During the day, he continues his primary profession as a farmer.

It costs $5.50 to skate on Friday and Saturday nights and $4 the rest of the week. In-line skates are $2 extra, speed skates are $3 extra. Patrons may bring their own skates if they have not been used outdoors.

The rink is available for birthday parties, church groups and other special events, Stout says. n