" I think what it comes down to is not what could kids do individually, because yes as pointed out parents could come up with creative ideas and such for the kids to be able to do and such but it isn't about that I don't think. I think what it comes down to is that while doing things together with your children is all and great what you have to keep in mind is that our kids don't always want hang out with their parents or their siblings but with their friends instead.

I think that is what it comes down to, over the years more and more we are running out of places that our children, teens can get together and interact together other than just letting them out to wander the streets without feeling like their parents area sitting on top of them. Yes the kids need structure and though they were out of our immediate care when going skating as example, there were still a sense of structure and boundaries that they had to follow in order to spend time in the business. But it was something they could get together to do with one another and now it has come to a lack of options that are available. Ice skating is seasonal and not easily accessible to everyone due to location, roller skating used to be until it was removed, video game arcades were a nice place to get together and enjoy a few hours with one another and the only semblance of one of those is what is offered at Epicenter, but you look around and there are plenty of bars for adults to go and relieve their stresses by hanging out and drinking it away. It seems not having more variety is just setting up for trouble. "

" I agree with the need for more things for kids to do. I also agree that more parents need to get creative. I have a suggestion that is very budget friendly. Last spring I took my son to TRAIN MOUNTAIN. It is just off of Hwy 97 heading to Chiloquin. It if great fun for kids. It is a donation basis. One dollar, ten, nothing, it doesn't matter. You can ride the trains all day. Then there is a concession stand with very affordable food for the kids and adults. There is also a logging museum at Collier Park that is very neat and free. You can take a picnic to the Collier Park rest area, eat, and then walk the trail to the museum. There are nice trails. Train Mountain is open from Memorial to Labor Day. I do not know the operational hours for the logging museum, it was open last weekend........ "

" Who said anything about being rich? I guess what I find interesting about all of this is how many businesses have went in to that new building that used to be the skating rink? I would think the owners are suffering more so now because people did at least use the building when it was Skateland and now it is sitting vacant, it might look nicer, but none the less it is still vacant. So I guess my question is where is the gain in that, I guess maybe one day someone will move in to the location but as for now where is the revenue for it?

I wasn't suggesting that they give away fun for families at locations such as that, I realize that you have to pay for it and no I don't mean with food stamps. But I believe when I was younger and utilized the skating rink we paid anywhere between $5-$6 for 3-4 hours, so I guess I would rather pay $20 for a family of 4 for 3-4 hours of fun than $16 for a family of 4 for an hour. Same with bowling, when it used to be Holiday Bowl, now it is a medical building, we paid no more than $10 for 3 hours of bowling and that included your shoes and bowling ball. Now at the Epicenter the last time we went it was $18 per lane for an hour plus the cost of shoes. Again it goes for the movies, when I was little they offered kiddie matinees for $2 and yeah it might have been an older movie that had been out for a couple of years but it gave the kids and families something to do for a couple of hours during the summer months and over holidays. I guess I just think there are other options that are not going to make these businesses go bankrupt if they offer them every once in a while. "

" Okay, so let's do something about it. Let's build a new roller skating rink. First, we'll need a building. Hmmm, lease or build? Either way, let's figure about $1.00 a sq ft. Figure we need 12,000 sq ft to do it right (includes small arcade and snack bar). So right off the jump we will need revenues of $12,000 a month. Let's add the cost of labor and other expenses such as gas, electricity and water. Figure about $8,000 a month. So how many patrons would it take to just make ends meet if you charged $5 for a 2 hour session? That's not including the startup cost you would have to recoup before you turned a profit such as rental skates, parquet floor, buiding materials, permits, and everything else associated with a business of this magnitude. But if we only charged $1 a person it would still be too expensive for some people and the business would be forced to file bankruptcy, but hey, let's do it for the kids. Just because you own a till (cash register, for the layman), and your own business, it doesn't make you rich. Any venture capitalists out there want to finance this? Maybe you'll get a bail-out. "

" Hanscam's is no longer smoking and has not been since the 1st of august 2008 and has the lowest prices in towm and some of the lowest prices in the state. They welcome all the kids that want to come there and enjoy a safe family place. The Oregon Youth State tournament will be there this spring. We encourage all kids to become bowlers and grow up there like I did. "

" Well thanks for all the attacks, I love it. Anyways, I wasn't directing it toward arcade games or laser tag, honestly that is something we have not done because my one child is a little small for that. But $4 per person for how long of laser tag, one game right? So that would be $16 for us per game to me that is somewhat high and maybe it is cheaper than the larger cities but again we are not a larger city or there would be more options.
You know to be completely honest excuses are a dime a dozen and I've got several, we do all of the "family" things listed as above with the exception of crochet or knitting. Apparently you guys have all the answers right, I am assuming because you do that you have a family on a fixed income that likes to do something special for their kids from time to time.
What I was getting at what this forum was about was the fact that they are shutting down the skating rink and not reopening it and that is a shame for the parents that enjoy doing those types of things with their kids and for the kids that enjoy roller skating at a rink with their friends and family. I think we would be better off to open up more fast food chains because lord knows we don't have nearly enough of those and plenty to do for families and kids that would like to do things with their friends occassionally overpriced or not! "

" Thought I'd chime in this "most discussed" article.

It was a sad day when Skateland closed its doors for good. My family only went there a few times, but enjoyed the sessions when we did go. We go bowling at the non-smoking alley, and maybe in January (when the other house becomes non-smoking), we'll spend money there too. We haven't made it out to the Ice Skating Arena yet, but will one day. We tried to go to Rock Climbing Gym on impulse, but it was closed and open by appointment only, which we'll make one day. Lucky for us, we noticed the Lazer Tag place on the way to the Rock Climbing Gym and gave it a whirl. Talk about fun! We had the time of our lives! We go to events at the fairgrounds, try to visit Lava Beds, Crater Lake, and walk the Link River trail at least once a year, and sometimes we just hang at Moore Park or Wiard Park. Yes, cost is a factor, and times are tough. But not everything costs money. Just spend time with your family and do something together. There are still lots of things to do in Klamath Falls, all you have to do is look. "

" Let's close a local hangout for kids that also has some historical significance to the residents, tear it down, and build more unfillable office space in a failing economy. Sound business decision? Me thinks not. Glad Mr. Caylor can't be a commissioner, chartered or otherwise? Me thinks yes. And remember boys and girls--this man was also a member of the county's budget committee. YIKES! That's who I want deciding how my tax dollars are to be allocated... "

" To Shame,
Overpriced?? How is a 25 cent arcade overpriced?? $4 dollar laser tag!Overpriced? Thats alot cheaper than Portland,Sacramento or Reno!! Try to open business in this town with thinking like yours. Maybe we can accept food stamps, would that make you happy!? "

" do you guys really hear yourselves on this? when it was open in recent history it was rarely, sessions had (maybe) 20 people in the summer. the only time it was busy was for a large party or a special event.

25 years ago it was a hoppin' place but that was 25 years ago. times change, entertainment changes, businesses change.

what we remember doing as kids usually does not apply to what our kids do today. there was no first person shooters or rockband type video games when i was a kid, but there are today.

tastes change, business open and business close. deal with it.

the same people complaining here are saying that there should be more for kids to do in k falls. i agree this is true. however how many of these complainers supported the business when it was open?

now its gone so you complain. get over it. "

" Dear Shame, I am glad you liked some of the types of activities I put out to do with your kids. There are always going to be things that cost money. There is no getting around that. So here are some things to do that will put your hard earned money to work and give you something to do with your kids: Everybody has to eat and spend money on food so, teach them how to cook. You have to spend the money anyway. Even small children can be of help in the kitchen. Older kids will need this skill when they are out on their own. Make it even more fun... when they are ready, or more likely when you are brave enough, let them have a night when they invite a friend over and cook you dinner. ....On a smaller scale, bake cookies.
When the bad weather hits and it is snowy outside, go sledding, have a snow ball fight. If that is not what you want and you need something else. Try this: turn off all the lights in the house, even the tiny ones that are on the computers, clocks and electronic stuff in the house. Get down on the floor with the kids and play hide and seek. This was a winter favorite of ours. Even the older kids liked it.
Need more things to do in the winter?
1. learn to knit, crochet, or sew?
2. All ready know? Teach your kids
3. Try out a new recipe
4. Write a book
5. Try the game of Cribbage.
6. Write a letter. Amazing skill is necessary to write a letter. Takes a pencil and piece of paper. Grandparents love to get letters.
Ohh, there is another idea.... Get grandparents involved with your kids. They have lots of good ideas. If not your own parents, then someone else's that you would trust.
Sorry, Shame, excuses are a dime a dozen. Determination is priceless. Draw a line somewhere and choose.

Oh yea, about the block party and sexual predators.... DON'T INVITE THEM! "

" yeah I have to say that "I grew up here too" has some good points but here is my problems with some of the ideas, with the block party, well what if your block contains sexual predators I guess I don't want them around my kids or anyone else's for that matter, all of the outdoor things you suggested are good in the late spring through fall but once the weather turns you really cannot do those things when there is snow on the ground and as for 4-H, campfire, scouts, they all cost money and some of them a lot of money and you have to be of a certain age. I do help my kids with their homework but it only lasts so long so therefore what else, we read books together we play video games together but sometimes when the weather is cold you want to take your kids out and do something else and I know you can bundle them up and play in the snow in the winter but sometimes its just not what you are looking for. My family knows how to use its imagination and go out and about for entertainment but sometimes you want something different that you can do as a family, a movie, bowling, skating, laser tag, whatever it is, we don't have much of it and what we do have is very overpriced. "

" Way to go "I grew up here too"! We need more parents that think like you do these days. It's a shame family events have gone out of our lives. We need to stick together and not depend on others to raise our kids. It doesn't take much to spend just a little time with your kids! (If you really love them!!) I am an active parent in my children's lives and I agree. We are the best influence our children have. "

" I grew up in the 40's. Admittedly not in Klamath Falls. Kids then didn't need all the organized activities nor places to go that cost money. There have been plenty of suggestions here in other posts. Another one is bike riding. Even when I raised my kids in the 70's in the suburbs a big city, they didn't need special places to go and spend money doing so. "

" Lazer Invasion is still open! They even reduced price to help out the family budget. Most arcade games .25. "

" Just what is needed, more police presence to arrest kids with nothing to do. I'm so glad I got out of that little hamlet of a police state when I did. Remeber, this is your elected officials mentality... spare the child, spoil the rod. "

" My family has been in the area since the early 50's. As I was growing up here there was never much in the way of entertainment". There were some: Any one remember the miniature golf course out around Midland? Remember when we had a drive-in theater? What about the neighborhood parks? Money is the biggest reason these entities have come and gone. Businesses have to make enough money to keep going. Parks have lost money to things like vandalism and blatant destruction...........Does anyone out there have enough money to run some "entertainment business" and be able to support their own family? I don't.
So what do families do?
Make your own entertainment. Here are some ideas: 1. set up a block party in your area AND supervise it with plenty of REAL ADULTS 2. Go fishing 3. Go to the library 4. Check out the bike trails. 5. Play video games with your kids. (Invite their friends and have more fun) 6. Help your kids with their homework. 7. Do 4-H with your kids 8. Do Boy Scouts with your kids 9. Girl Scouts 10. Go to church and get involved. 11: Still want to skate. In-Line skates work on the bike path. 12. Take a croquet set to Moore Park. 13. Moore park is also a great place for an impromptu soccer/baseball/tennis game. .........Looking back at this list, the biggest requirement of entertaining your kids -- is you. There are plenty of things to do with the gift (your child) you have been given if you will just do it. "

" How about the Klamath Kids Museum? The volunteers there have put a lot of work into building the program but not many families are supporting it. Again, it costs money to get in but, it's a lot less than a movie and a lot more educational. "

" My oldest daughter worked part time off and on their at the end and she told me what they had planned to do. She said but its okay mom the owners and manager said to everyone we'll rebuild it will be great. I really didn't believe her and now we all see the truth its all about money they had to sell it was never about the community or the kids. I hope someone with REAL interest in our community, youth and for family entertainment builds another for the kids. I would spend my money to have a fun place to take the kids and not all of us parents use these businesses to BABYSIT our children we actually like to be with them and enjoy family outings. But that isn't as valuable is it. "

" There is still lazer invasion.. I think.. arcade games and lazer tag. It is still a place to hang out.. for now. "

" Remember back in the day children use to take Williams bread wrappers and goto the show. Gave them something to look forward to on the weekend. Then we had Skateland over behind the new Wendy's. In my teen years, Polar Cub sponsored dances for teens every other weekend. At the fairgrounds and they moved to the Armory on shasta way. Be nice if we had that kind of fun for the youth of today huh. "

" it is a shame that there is no skating rink for kids to go and enjoy themselves. I too grew up here and am now raising my own kids here and we went to skateland a lot.

I do have to say I don't agree with momwhocares, not everyone uses those facilities as a "babysitter" for there kids but once they get to a certain age you do have to cut back on the apron strings just a little and it would be nice if you could have your children go to a place where you don't have to worry so much.

The other thing is the few things they do have for kids are expensive, such as bowling. When I was younger they had a cosmic bowl so you could bowl from 9pm-11pm for like $10 but now bowling is a fortune as well as the movies, you have to take out a loan for your kids to enjoy those things. They don't have a so called mall anymore where the kids can hang out. I am so old that we used to drive around main street when I was in high school and that is where all your friends were and now you can't even do that. I have heard that they are going to open the Steen's Sports complex for kids to do things ie volleyball, soccer, dances, I think that is a great idea if the kids will utilize the opportunity. Instead they have house parties or do things that they shouldn't even be worried about at there age. Why do you think teen pregnancy is so rampant as well as drug use?

I too think that there needs to be more kid friendly things to do around here for kids of all ages, pretty soon all you are going to have is retirees because there is nothing for the "younger" crowd. Please help us out here and give the people that are younger than 65 something to do. "

" I grew up here in the '70's. Back then there was Skateland, 2 bowling alleys, Pelican Theater and Ella Redkey.

Now, one bowling alley continues to allow smoking, the other charges a $5 fee if you want to hang out in the evening, movies are $7.50 plus goodies, winter is too cold to swim even in a heated pool, and Skateland is no more. Oh, and now the SportsPark, which has been vandalized during closed hours.

Yes, I parent my children, but my husband and I also have to work during the summer, when the kids are home. Most fast food places won't hire you until you are 16, so there are no jobs available; babysitting requires more than just prior care of brothers and sisters; the list goes on.

Thankfully my kids are almost out of the home, but what about all the other children in the Basin? Shopping? Where will they get the money? Steal to sell and get money that way? Sell drugs? Not much else left for them to do. "

" This town has squat for entertainment. You can go to a stinky run down theater or Wal Mart.. WOOHOO..

Not every second can be spent with a young teen or older teen. They need their independence in addition to parental guidance. Klamath has zilch for family things, let alone things for kids to spread their wings a bit and have fun.

That is why this town is full of criminals and dope. Use your mind people, get a grip on reality. Growth isn"t a negative thing, it is a survival thing. Where is a water park? Put-Put golf? Arcade? Heck, even a zoo? As much money that goes to Medford for family fun and shopping, you think the city would get a hint. UGH! "

" How about the ice skating rink? "

" Why do so many of you people rely so much on other people to entertain your kids? Its a shame they had to close down Skateland, as I had enjoyed it as a kid growing up. It was a big privelage to be able to go there for my family, and we had to earn it. Nowdays, parents just want to use such places as "babysitters" instead of actually parenting these kids themselves. "

" i grew up in klamath falls and there wasnt a whole lot to do back then least it seemed like that and i no now there was when i thank about it i have been to smaller towns and they always have clubs and places for the kids to hangout and not get in trouble i just came back for two years and there is nothing for kids to do i thank this town needs to rethink this for the kids sake its no wonder i say that town kills dreams it give kids nothing to dream about inless you want a golf course or something for old people there is nothing "

" This is getting out of hand, I am mad, they close down skateland to build offices in it's place, then they are turning the place that was sopposed to be skateland into the police station. No wonder there is so many kids getting into trouble cause our city is dose not care, but yet I hear them complain when our children get into trouble. I think we may have a problem here. "

" I agree with "mad". The last thing this town needs is more strip malls!!!!! Sheesh. "

" We need something for our children to do other than get into trouble with drugs and alcohol. Come on people quit thinking about the money and START thinking about our children.

They need something to do in this town.
As it is know there is only bowling for our children to do.

When is Klamath falls going to start think about the children. "