RECEIVING THE MESSAGES TO AND FROM CHINA. >>> THE LAST TIME OUR CAMERAS WERE OUTSIDE THAT ROLLER SKATING RINK IN TEMPLE HILLS, IT WAS A CRIME SCENE. BUT THE BUILDING THAT HOUSES HAPPY MEMORIES FOR MANY PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY FAMILIES IS NOW GETTING A SECOND CHANCE.
ONCE KNOWN AS THE SKATE PALACE, THE NEW OWNERS NOW CALL IT SKATE MATRIX. NEWS4’S WALTER MORRIS TAKES US INSIDE BEFORE TOMORROW’S GRAND OPENING. >> I LIKE THE SAY GOD LIKES TO BRING THINGS BACK IN FULL CIRCLE. >> Reporter: THIS FULL CIRCLE
MOMENT IS DECADES IN THE MAKING FOR KENNETH ROLE LOW DAVIS. HE BEGAN SKATING HERE IN 1984, AND NOW HE IS ONE OF THE NEW OWNERS. THE LANDMARK WAS KNOWN FOR YEARS AS THE SKATE PALACE. AND NOW IT’S READY TO REOPEN UNDER A NEW NAME, SKATE MATRIX.
>> IT’S LIKE HOME. IT’S A LANDMARK. IT’S LIKE HOME. THIS IS THE PLACE THAT KEPT ME OUT OF TROUBLE, AND IT’S A SAFE HAVEN FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE, A LOT OF KIDS, ADULTS AS WELL. >> Reporter: DAVIS AND BUSINESS PARTNER ANGELA BRADDOCK GIVING
US A SPECIAL LOOK AROUND. THEY’VE SPENT MONTHS GIVING THE SKATE RINK A MAKEOVER. NOW IT’S TIME FOR THE BIG REVEAL, WITH SIX OF THE BIGGEST DJst IN THE AREA, THE EVENT GOES FROM 7:30 TO 11:30 P.M. >> HAVE FUN, BRING THE FAMILY. >> Reporter: THIS FRESH START
COMING ALMOST A YEAR AFTER TRAGEDY ROCKED THIS SKATING COMMUNITY. BACK IN FEBRUARY, EUGENE SMITH, HEAD OF SECURITY AT DMD ALL SKATE SOCIAL SHOT AND KILLED IN THE PARKING LOT WHILE STOPPING BY ON HIS DAY OFF. AFTER BEING CLOSED FOR MONTH, THE NEW OWNERS HAVE THIS
MESSAGE. >> WHEN AN INCIDENT HAPPENS, PEOPLE WILL TAKE AND THEY’LL FEET ON THAT FOR YEARS. AND IT WILL BE SOMETHING THAT MIGHT STICK IN THEIR HEAD FOR YEARS. AND THEN FIVE YEARS LATER, SOMETHING ELSE MIGHT HAPPEN. AND THEN TEN YEARS LATER, SOMETHING ELSE MIGHT HAPPEN.
BUT REALLY, IF YOU LOOK AT ANY OTHER AREA AROUND THE CITY, IT’S THE SAME THING. >> Reporter: DAVIS SAYS THERE WILL ALSO BE A STRONG SECURITY PRESENCE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE SKATE MATRIX, AND EVENTUALLY THEY PLAN ON DEVELOPING THE SPACE NEXT DOOR TO OFFER MORE
OPTIONS FOR THIS COMMUNITY. >> I’M HOPING IT WILL BE A COMMUNITY HUB. SO AS YOU KNOW, OUTSIDE OF THESE DOORS IS A LOT OF — A LOT OF STUFF GOING ON. THERE IS A LOT OF BAD INFLUENCES. THERE IS A LOT OF WRONG THINGS TO DO OUT THERE.
AND WE LIKE TO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE A PERSON CAN COME IN AND FEEL SAFE. >> IN
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