One of Woodbury’s original businesses, Wooddale Fun Zone, recently celebrated its 40th year. Built in 1974 by Russell Johnston, and formerly known as Wooddale Recreation Center, the family activity center originally offered indoor/outdoor tennis as well as indoor roller skating and an indoor track. “My grandfather was an avid tennis player; in 1978 we moved the tennis into a new, adjoining building,” says Kevin Sahly, Johnston’s grandson and one of the current owners. “About that time, dance fever/disco hit, and the roller skating really took off.”
In 2004, the facility underwent another major renovation: The tennis club became Wooddale Tennis and Health, and the skating center/new indoor playground was named Wooddale Fun Zone. Wooddale Fun Zone offers a popular Monday night event, Monday Madness, with $2 admission and $1 for a pizza slice or small soda. “We draw lots of families who are looking for an affordable outing,” Sahly says. “And roller skating offers lots of benefits—it’s a great source of aerobic exercise, and can burn up to 600 calories per hour.”
