Bowling Green’s 28-year-old Greenwood Skate Center on Three Springs Road will soon see a significant facelift and offer lower skating rates after a recent change in ownership.

Manager and part-owner Ken Meredith said he and his partner have sold the 22,500-square-foot facility to David and Cynthia Gillock of Louisville.

&#8220I’ve decided it was time for a change,” Meredith said.

Along with the change comes a new name for the center: The Skate Box, according to the new owners.

The Gillocks, who have more than 15 years of experience in the skating industry, recently moved to Bowling Green and were rehabbing the site this week with hopes to reopen at 6 p.m. Wednesday, with a special performance by dancing skate team the Valley Jammers two days later.

The Gillocks are best known for putting Champs, a popular skating center in Louisville, out of business years ago with their location in the Valley Station area, but were recently bought out by Kroger, whose supermarket will soon build on the site.

The couple have no immediate plans to add on to the skate center, but David Gillock said customers will notice significant renovations – especially lime green carpet on the walls, which will glow when illuminated.

&#8220We’re just going to keep what we got and remodel,” he said.

Stall doors will be added to the bathrooms, speed skates will now be a part of the inventory in a new skate room, and added safety features, lights, flat-screen TVs and a new sound system will be installed.

&#8220We’re wanting the place to grow with the town,” David Gillock said.

As parents of two very young children, the Gillocks said they understand how expensive it can be to entertain a family, and that’s why they’ll drop the prices.

For example, admission to Friday skate nights previously cost $11, but are now only $7, David Gillock said. The night has also been renamed &#8220Crank Dat Music Night” and takes place from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Other themed times, such as Family Fun Night from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday and Hip Hop Night from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday, will cost $4. Saturday and Sunday family matinee pricing – from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. – is $5, and &#8220double sessions” – from 7 p.m. to midnight Saturday night, will cost $7. Parents will skate free on Saturday and Sunday during the matinee sessions, David Gillock said, and every other Sunday of the month is dedicated to the 18-and-over crowd, with those with a college I.D. getting a $2 discount.

A variety of party plans are also available for customers ranging from $69.95 to $144, as well as private parties for $150 an hour.

The Gillocks have already started contacting local schools to build relationships for school fundraisers, something the skate center has been known for.

The Greenwood Skate Center was a wonderful forum to meet the needs of those who were going through hard times, Meredith said, raised more than $6 million for youth programs and gave away $50 million in free skate time for youth, civic and church groups.

&#8220When we first started the skating center, birthday parties were primarily in the home,” Meredith said. But having birthday parties at the skate center provided longer times for families to savor spending time together.

&#8220People value family time more today because people have less of it,” Meredith said. &#8220I think it’s something that 28 years ago was taken for granted.”

Meredith said Greenwood Skating Center was the 11th built in the area.

&#8220Most of the older parents and grandparents remember the modified tobacco barn that was a skating place at Beech Bend (Park) from the 1940s up until about 10 years ago,” Meredith said, adding that other skating centers were previously located in the parking lot of what is now Mariah’s Restaurant, the Potter Opera House in downtown Bowling Green and the top floor of what’s now 440 Main Restaurant.

&#8220This is the first weekend probably in 40 years there has not been active roller skating in the city of Bowling Green.”

– For more on The Skate Box, call 843-3394 or visit www.myspace.com/theskatebox.