The History of Rink Architecture.
The history of rink architecture has evolved. Originally the inventor of quads roller skates, James L. Plimpton who patented a crude roller skate that you attach to your boots and shoes of its day. Steel wheels with a plate and straps to attach on your skates. Well, he needed a place for people to skate and he owned a hotel at the time and converted part of the hotel into a skating rink. A first of a kind of modern amusement/recreation resort that has a hotel and skating rink. So technically I believe it was two inventions James did: skates and the resort. He also owned a skate factory and manufacture skates. This was a foundation toward to have a rink. Because this section is about architecture, the fundamental was needed to explain about skates itself. James Plimpton invented roller skates in 1863-during the Civil War. James invented this new transportation for recreational purposes that helped Americans and former ex-pats (Confederates) to skate to forget the tragedy of the Civil War and the Assassination of President Abraham Lincoln.
it was about a year after the Civil War was over that James converted the hotel into a rink. This was the first time Americans touched the parquet floor. Likely wood floor in a rented hotel of his.(From Ballrooms to Discos, Tracking 150 Years of Roller Rinks by Scott Garner) in Newport, Rhode Island, United States. This was world's first rink. An inventor usually needs something to support his invention and that was the case with James Plimpton. Compare that to Henry Ford that he did not invent the roads. Someone else did.
It was a grandiose appearance of the facility to match its style of its time. Perhaps Victorian. We do not know. Typical rinks of its day was in skating palaces, skating arenas, and Skating emporiums. Hardly any photos but many illustrations are found including Harper's Weekly newspaper.
it was about a year after the Civil War was over that James converted the hotel into a rink. This was the first time Americans touched the parquet floor. Likely wood floor in a rented hotel of his.(From Ballrooms to Discos, Tracking 150 Years of Roller Rinks by Scott Garner) in Newport, Rhode Island, United States. This was world's first rink. An inventor usually needs something to support his invention and that was the case with James Plimpton. Compare that to Henry Ford that he did not invent the roads. Someone else did.
It was a grandiose appearance of the facility to match its style of its time. Perhaps Victorian. We do not know. Typical rinks of its day was in skating palaces, skating arenas, and Skating emporiums. Hardly any photos but many illustrations are found including Harper's Weekly newspaper.
Photo showed skaters in their heavy thick clothes! Fashion were the statement of its day. Photo original courtesy of Harper's weekly. Colored by someone on Esty.com
Photo courtesy of Harper's Weekly. In original state. Noticed skaters were dancing ballroom dance. Music in both photos above and this one are likely organ. Noticed a man stood by the railing on the rink spotting a beautiful woman and talking with her? I believe they are already clicking because she touched his arm. Lucky guy! Romance on rinks were common through many decades.
You can see that again with the man on his knee to tie her skates on the rink. Nice guy! Many couples skating. Was this Valentine's Day? Who knows! We do not get male skaters to tie their sweethearts' laces today.
You can see that again with the man on his knee to tie her skates on the rink. Nice guy! Many couples skating. Was this Valentine's Day? Who knows! We do not get male skaters to tie their sweethearts' laces today.
In both illustrations above, the architecture showed either steel or wood beam post. Rinks were quite wood for sure. Many rinks were quite small. Everything were small. Even automobiles that were about the size of an All-Terran Vehicle (ATV). Rinks perhaps were about the size of a high school basketball court or smaller than high school gym would be as a rink. There are several illustrations from Harper's Weekly showed there were basketball court size rinks with 2 stories. Some of them had second floor for fans and attendees to watch roller polo/roller hockey back the day.
Arenas, palaces were quite fancy in design like the Coney Island's rinks. One example here would be the Coney Island rink in the former railroad station.
Arenas, palaces were quite fancy in design like the Coney Island's rinks. One example here would be the Coney Island rink in the former railroad station.
See fancy were quite common and even skaters were too when they came to skate, they all were wearing suits and dresses with skirts or "aprons" to the floor. Usually two or more stories high. Edwardian and early 20th Century architecture were still fancy. The rink shown above, it was Coney Island Roller Rink (See Coney Island).
Some rinks really gotten big and you would have to climb stairs to reach first floor. It was common for many buildings to be raised from the ground in typical fashion like this rink in Syracuse, NY. See post card below.
Some rinks really gotten big and you would have to climb stairs to reach first floor. It was common for many buildings to be raised from the ground in typical fashion like this rink in Syracuse, NY. See post card below.
RINKS EVOLVED IN EARLY 20TH CENTURY
Rinks have evolved into more simple design but hardly Art Deco at all. There are no evidence, so far, of a rink that was in art deco. Rinks were named with palace or arena as already ushered into 20th Century.
They found that architecturally to eliminate the beams and support the roof in better fashion, rinks were designed at the time to have arched roof, They would have roofs arched to better support the roof trusses better so that they would not have any posts in the way of the rinks. You can see the evidence with rinks such as this one in the Bronx- The Fordham Roller Palace. Note the roof is arched on that right half of the building that Monroe College now houses. That was common for many rinks, arenas, convention centers, ice rinks, and sports centers. Photo courtesy of Google Map.
Rinks have evolved into more simple design but hardly Art Deco at all. There are no evidence, so far, of a rink that was in art deco. Rinks were named with palace or arena as already ushered into 20th Century.
They found that architecturally to eliminate the beams and support the roof in better fashion, rinks were designed at the time to have arched roof, They would have roofs arched to better support the roof trusses better so that they would not have any posts in the way of the rinks. You can see the evidence with rinks such as this one in the Bronx- The Fordham Roller Palace. Note the roof is arched on that right half of the building that Monroe College now houses. That was common for many rinks, arenas, convention centers, ice rinks, and sports centers. Photo courtesy of Google Map.
The Curved roof architecture was convenience for rink owners to have their facility be built in this format to allow open space interior with the rink itself and off-the-rink surroundings such as snack bar area, seating areas, lockers, and skate rental and rest areas. They were still fancy and still had wooden floor. By 1920s and 1930s, the Art Deco theme were popular in many things but the skating rinks...it was possible it had streamlined Art Deco look because it would match to that theme. You see, the streamlined Art Deco look would match to the roller skates but no building had that look, so far. However, they still had wooden floor.
New facilities in 1930s were rare to establish because of the Great Depression. However, many maintained that 1900s or 19th Century architecture for new rinks during the Art Deco period. Often rinks were built with bricks and cinderblocks veneer both interior and exterior. They were built to last long time or many thought.
Several rinks were housed in large Quonset Hut style buildings. Usually sheet metal curved ground to ground. But bigger ones were from wall to wall.
Some small towns, villages had their own rinks too and often it was the opposite. They built rinks to appear like a house. They had wood built and wood siding. Some rinks were built in barns- like as matter of fact.
Many skating rinks in 1800s and first few decades of 20th Century, they were doubled as both roller skating rink and dance halls. A postcard of a skating rink acted as doubled- dance hall and rink. Was this the Coney Island Roller Skating at the former rail station, Culver? It must be one of the Coney Island rinks. See photo (courtesy of Recreating 19th Century Ballroom blog)
During the War, many Americans went to war and fought for our freedom against the Nazi Axis Tyranny. Mothers and wives went to work in factories, children went to schools and back home and that was it. There were curfews and lights out in order to keep America safe from enemies attacking like they did attacked the Americans in the Philippines, Pearl Harbor, and even the Battle of Los Angeles. Skating rinks turned lights off. I do not know any history of rinks ever mentioned they used as armory or military storage facilities but possible. This part was possible theory of thought.
New facilities in 1930s were rare to establish because of the Great Depression. However, many maintained that 1900s or 19th Century architecture for new rinks during the Art Deco period. Often rinks were built with bricks and cinderblocks veneer both interior and exterior. They were built to last long time or many thought.
Several rinks were housed in large Quonset Hut style buildings. Usually sheet metal curved ground to ground. But bigger ones were from wall to wall.
Some small towns, villages had their own rinks too and often it was the opposite. They built rinks to appear like a house. They had wood built and wood siding. Some rinks were built in barns- like as matter of fact.
Many skating rinks in 1800s and first few decades of 20th Century, they were doubled as both roller skating rink and dance halls. A postcard of a skating rink acted as doubled- dance hall and rink. Was this the Coney Island Roller Skating at the former rail station, Culver? It must be one of the Coney Island rinks. See photo (courtesy of Recreating 19th Century Ballroom blog)
During the War, many Americans went to war and fought for our freedom against the Nazi Axis Tyranny. Mothers and wives went to work in factories, children went to schools and back home and that was it. There were curfews and lights out in order to keep America safe from enemies attacking like they did attacked the Americans in the Philippines, Pearl Harbor, and even the Battle of Los Angeles. Skating rinks turned lights off. I do not know any history of rinks ever mentioned they used as armory or military storage facilities but possible. This part was possible theory of thought.
POST-WAR ERA OF 1940S AND 1950S- GOLDEN ERA OF SKATING.
But times were changing after we won the war against the Nazi and the Japanese Imperialist governments. It was happier times. Time to celebrate and many returning boys and men were happy to celebrate by going skating again what they remembered from before. Many skaters returned to the rinks what they best remembered and to help sooth out the horrors of the war, but mostly many wanted to celebrate and be free. Skating was one of the medium they can feel free because they can move on wheels. Some others have on motorcycles, and even automobiles. The big cars, the '57s automobiles. Rock and roll music was just beginning to pop up as early as 1949. But many rinks retained organ music. Movies had it wrong by displaying rock-n-roll music in rinks. Maybe they did but it was mainly organ music. Maybe some rinks organists did play the rock-n-roll music any kids of the time remembered.
Architecturally, it was becoming more standardized with the Curved roof but they added a ceiling that would be plainly covered. Some rinks maintained the same exposed I-beams for roofs. With the flat ceiling, it means to be slightly lower clearance than rinks of pre-war era as you seen in the photos above. Still sporting two storys height of the skating area in the facility. Levittown was the protypical rink that has the ceiling in this subject. It also had that large signs to expose who they are to the public and the salt-box entrance just like fast food chains would have that look. Some businesses do the same as well. A sheet metal business still sporting 1950s theme front in Eastwood, NY, a suburb of Syracuse, NY. Photos courtesy of USA RSA Roller Skaters website.
But times were changing after we won the war against the Nazi and the Japanese Imperialist governments. It was happier times. Time to celebrate and many returning boys and men were happy to celebrate by going skating again what they remembered from before. Many skaters returned to the rinks what they best remembered and to help sooth out the horrors of the war, but mostly many wanted to celebrate and be free. Skating was one of the medium they can feel free because they can move on wheels. Some others have on motorcycles, and even automobiles. The big cars, the '57s automobiles. Rock and roll music was just beginning to pop up as early as 1949. But many rinks retained organ music. Movies had it wrong by displaying rock-n-roll music in rinks. Maybe they did but it was mainly organ music. Maybe some rinks organists did play the rock-n-roll music any kids of the time remembered.
Architecturally, it was becoming more standardized with the Curved roof but they added a ceiling that would be plainly covered. Some rinks maintained the same exposed I-beams for roofs. With the flat ceiling, it means to be slightly lower clearance than rinks of pre-war era as you seen in the photos above. Still sporting two storys height of the skating area in the facility. Levittown was the protypical rink that has the ceiling in this subject. It also had that large signs to expose who they are to the public and the salt-box entrance just like fast food chains would have that look. Some businesses do the same as well. A sheet metal business still sporting 1950s theme front in Eastwood, NY, a suburb of Syracuse, NY. Photos courtesy of USA RSA Roller Skaters website.
Notice the rink was becoming more simple in design. A clean 1950s look. No fancy stuff like pre-war era would have with the fancy curved decor of all metals or exposed beams whatever. But this was becoming more like a standard gym appearance of a roller skating rink. Non-exposure of beams, covered ceilings, light tubes and regular set up for tickets, skate rental, bathrooms and lockers. Those features were leading toward to rinks of today.
Another thing, noticed the way ceiling lights were set up? This was the normal design of 1930s to 1960s for rinks, drive-in restaurants, diners, and department stores. The ceiling lights are similar to what you would have remembered at old Tiny Naylor's jet-looking drive ins or Robert's Drive-Ins restaurant, or even I recalled Kmart, Woolworth, and other defunct department stores back in 1970s.
Black and white photos are tough to tell what colors all of the rinks built up to 1950s because color photos were not available till around 1950s however. Out of many photos, it was not until 1960s color photos were starting to show up for some private owners. Problem was that many newspapers did not think about taking color pictures because their newspapers prints were in black-n-white till around 1980s! So, many media photos are in black-n-white right up to the 1980s. Skating was quite popular in 1945 to late 1950s.
Good thing some media like Skate magazine in 1960s had color photos.
GROOVING 1960s and 1970s RINKS.
The 1960s... Rock-n-roll was replaced by Gospel and Pop music, and even Disco music. bell bottoms, hippies, rebellion, the assassinations, Vietnam, Cold War and people turned to different concerns those instead of skating. It was a little slow down of the Golden Era of roller skating. Yet, rinks maintained similar appearance to the 1950s because it was a slow down.
The rink designs were not much changes. But others were quite freshing new design. Take for example, this rink in Michigan totally modernized the rink. Made it more modern, more formal once again and more adult-like rather than plain looking rinks. Rinks were already becoming flat roofed facilities. To name a few, Sports-O-Rama had flat roof but exposed beams in 1959. Rinks like Sports in Mattydale, NY was the new generation of rinks from that point on with flat roofs. Economical sense however, the flaw in that design compared to arched was that the snow and collection of rain can pressure the ceiling and roof to collapse.
Still, they had flat roofs.
Another thing, noticed the way ceiling lights were set up? This was the normal design of 1930s to 1960s for rinks, drive-in restaurants, diners, and department stores. The ceiling lights are similar to what you would have remembered at old Tiny Naylor's jet-looking drive ins or Robert's Drive-Ins restaurant, or even I recalled Kmart, Woolworth, and other defunct department stores back in 1970s.
Black and white photos are tough to tell what colors all of the rinks built up to 1950s because color photos were not available till around 1950s however. Out of many photos, it was not until 1960s color photos were starting to show up for some private owners. Problem was that many newspapers did not think about taking color pictures because their newspapers prints were in black-n-white till around 1980s! So, many media photos are in black-n-white right up to the 1980s. Skating was quite popular in 1945 to late 1950s.
Good thing some media like Skate magazine in 1960s had color photos.
GROOVING 1960s and 1970s RINKS.
The 1960s... Rock-n-roll was replaced by Gospel and Pop music, and even Disco music. bell bottoms, hippies, rebellion, the assassinations, Vietnam, Cold War and people turned to different concerns those instead of skating. It was a little slow down of the Golden Era of roller skating. Yet, rinks maintained similar appearance to the 1950s because it was a slow down.
The rink designs were not much changes. But others were quite freshing new design. Take for example, this rink in Michigan totally modernized the rink. Made it more modern, more formal once again and more adult-like rather than plain looking rinks. Rinks were already becoming flat roofed facilities. To name a few, Sports-O-Rama had flat roof but exposed beams in 1959. Rinks like Sports in Mattydale, NY was the new generation of rinks from that point on with flat roofs. Economical sense however, the flaw in that design compared to arched was that the snow and collection of rain can pressure the ceiling and roof to collapse.
Still, they had flat roofs.
A typical late 1960s-early 1970s look. (Bonaventure Skate Center, Michigan) Very orange-y look with brick or grooved cinder-blocks structure, foam ceiling panels, fewer ceiling lights (compare that to Levittown Rink in photo above). Themed look of its decade with rounded corners, curved floor, plastic benches, and even plants inside the rink! It was quite a novelty idea to have plants inside the rink but more suitable for homes. Anyway, more rinks like this one had what they were called, high-wire spool-style bench (see in center of photo between benches and the wall pay-phones on the right!)
The halo in that photo was a skylight shining down to that spool bench. It reminds me of another architecture that was designed for its day at a Catholic church in Fayetteville, NY and other churches that had or still have the halo on the ceiling.
They had 1950s style pendent lights, UFO shaped lights, Chinese lantern-style lights, tube pendents, all 1950s look. But was replaced by disco lights. Colored tube lights, disco flashers, diamond balls, spot lights, etc. Also they had light globes. They were popular in 1960s and 1970s.
Not all rinks were like that rink in Michigan, actually. Many rinks started to have carpets off the rink, even carpeted on the wall, cinder-blocks for rails around the rink instead of iron pipes. Also added disco lights. A very popular item next to the diamond ball was the star-burst lights that were very common at rinks. Usually from the diamond or on each end of the rink. Usually in red color. Sometimes several different lights.
The halo in that photo was a skylight shining down to that spool bench. It reminds me of another architecture that was designed for its day at a Catholic church in Fayetteville, NY and other churches that had or still have the halo on the ceiling.
They had 1950s style pendent lights, UFO shaped lights, Chinese lantern-style lights, tube pendents, all 1950s look. But was replaced by disco lights. Colored tube lights, disco flashers, diamond balls, spot lights, etc. Also they had light globes. They were popular in 1960s and 1970s.
Not all rinks were like that rink in Michigan, actually. Many rinks started to have carpets off the rink, even carpeted on the wall, cinder-blocks for rails around the rink instead of iron pipes. Also added disco lights. A very popular item next to the diamond ball was the star-burst lights that were very common at rinks. Usually from the diamond or on each end of the rink. Usually in red color. Sometimes several different lights.
This rink was at Skate World in Tulsa. The picture was taken from SKATES, a defunct skating magazine (only one still running is Rinksider). Anyway, this rink is likely defunct but the appearance of the 1960s and 1970s were true in this design. The colors, the light globes, colorful tube lights, high-wire spool wheel seats, etc. Also that maroon and violet colors.. Very much into the 60s in this form.
Above, a roller rink with a pair of star-burst group of lights. It was common at many rinks like this one at Sunset Roller Rink somewhere. Click on the name of the rink to see the You-Tube of how the lights work.
Rinks of 1960s and 1970s were having colorful carpets on the walls, unique decor. All to the style of 1960s and 1970s with Roller Disco look. They were replacing the organ music so many organs were thrown out or sold to make room for the dj booths. Themes were changed to meet children rather than adults.
The 1980s and 1990s.
Murals were slowly starting to show up at rinks but it was not until later 1980s that art work would show up at rinks. Painted words, Mens/Womens, Boys/Girls, Guys/Gals whatever rink owner wanted it done, it was done that way and many would have roller skates on the wall, and characters on skates on the wall. It was very 1990s they started to have murals.
Because of Disco died down in early 1980s, roller skating died down with it. The architecture of rinks stalled because many rinks closed down and many cannot afford to remodel their rinks therefore, many stalled with their looks.
Few rinks were slowly adopting murals and shorten their days from daily evenings to just 2 or at least 3 nights or even four nights to skate and some afternoon skating on weekends.
Many rinks were modernized and had that flat roof, low ceiling paneling, and added arcade games. Empire Skates East for instance, added arcade games in 1979. Many children went up to play video games when Pac Man and Mario Brothers came out and later, Bubble Bobble, and many more came out to be played at rinks as rinks were trying to survive as more of family fun centers than just ballroom because they abandoned ballroom skating for roller disco.
This must have aliened adult skaters when roller skates were meant to be for adults entertainment and as a night club type of skating. But somehow rinks turned to DJ music and discos that changed demographically the population to roller skate.
That influenced rinks to add murals, children cartoon characters of their own or borrowed from popular cartoons (or rather stolen).
Rinks became brighter, such as yellow rounded tables with benches, colorful tables and benches or chairs attached to tables in the snack bar areas, plastic benches and tables that were also common at fast food restaurants (and they still do), rinks replaced falling carpets that were pealing off the walls...
And problems with carpets was that many gum chewing children spit out or spilled out gums onto the floor and never got to pick it up themselves and then other skaters steamrolled like a steamroller does to tar on the road: flattened into the Berber carpet which makes it difficult for staff and owners to remove gums from those carpets.
In meantime, carpets were becoming very creative design with logos on them, shapes, lightings, spots, dots, etc. with neon colors but first, they were bright colors.
Rinks of 1960s and 1970s were having colorful carpets on the walls, unique decor. All to the style of 1960s and 1970s with Roller Disco look. They were replacing the organ music so many organs were thrown out or sold to make room for the dj booths. Themes were changed to meet children rather than adults.
The 1980s and 1990s.
Murals were slowly starting to show up at rinks but it was not until later 1980s that art work would show up at rinks. Painted words, Mens/Womens, Boys/Girls, Guys/Gals whatever rink owner wanted it done, it was done that way and many would have roller skates on the wall, and characters on skates on the wall. It was very 1990s they started to have murals.
Because of Disco died down in early 1980s, roller skating died down with it. The architecture of rinks stalled because many rinks closed down and many cannot afford to remodel their rinks therefore, many stalled with their looks.
Few rinks were slowly adopting murals and shorten their days from daily evenings to just 2 or at least 3 nights or even four nights to skate and some afternoon skating on weekends.
Many rinks were modernized and had that flat roof, low ceiling paneling, and added arcade games. Empire Skates East for instance, added arcade games in 1979. Many children went up to play video games when Pac Man and Mario Brothers came out and later, Bubble Bobble, and many more came out to be played at rinks as rinks were trying to survive as more of family fun centers than just ballroom because they abandoned ballroom skating for roller disco.
This must have aliened adult skaters when roller skates were meant to be for adults entertainment and as a night club type of skating. But somehow rinks turned to DJ music and discos that changed demographically the population to roller skate.
That influenced rinks to add murals, children cartoon characters of their own or borrowed from popular cartoons (or rather stolen).
Rinks became brighter, such as yellow rounded tables with benches, colorful tables and benches or chairs attached to tables in the snack bar areas, plastic benches and tables that were also common at fast food restaurants (and they still do), rinks replaced falling carpets that were pealing off the walls...
And problems with carpets was that many gum chewing children spit out or spilled out gums onto the floor and never got to pick it up themselves and then other skaters steamrolled like a steamroller does to tar on the road: flattened into the Berber carpet which makes it difficult for staff and owners to remove gums from those carpets.
In meantime, carpets were becoming very creative design with logos on them, shapes, lightings, spots, dots, etc. with neon colors but first, they were bright colors.
This carpet was designed to match to the colors of the rink such as the walls, rails, lockers, etc. Usually black as background with bright colors, later neon colors. This photo taken at Skate Country East (Tapmag.com). Gone are the "whoa" colors of the 1960s. It became more neutral and neon of the 80s into the 90s and beyond which are still in use today.
Noticed murals are in full force everywhere in that rink in the photo. This is common at many older rinks.
Noticed murals are in full force everywhere in that rink in the photo. This is common at many older rinks.
Another example of way too busy carpet. This would have been too much too busy! They would also add soda machines, gum machines (see the small red box of 3 different flavors).
New colors would show up as well. And adding in-line skates, derby skates in rental booth (see photo above to find them!)
Carpets were designed to slow down skaters when they are not on the rink. This concept was originally put in rink centers on walls and on floor off the rink because of the style back then but they must have discovered its purpose is to slow down skaters. In pre-1960s, carpets were not that crazy popular at the time but the entire skate centers were all wood back then. This perhaps made problems for people who wanted to rest after skating and make children slow down on their skates. The carpets solved that problem. It also softened up injuries when they fall on the carpet floors to reduce injuries and insurance as well. Likely carpets are made to stay for indoor rinks.
2000s and 2010s, a new generation of rinks.
Roller rinks needed to survive after the golden era and silver era of in-line skates were over, they are discovering other purposes. Like painted wooden floors, or gone cheaper such as rinks with four different choices now: Besides age old known as wood floor- the Maple hardwood, which can last 25 to 50 years without much maintenance. There are Concrete (ie-Empire Skates East) which is the cheapest. Also there are two others-Rollerboard floors have become more popular in more recent years. They are made with tongue-and-groove joint sheets of a super high-density particle-type board for secure installation. A rollerboard floor must always have good solid coat of a urethane skate floor coating though. Then there is SkateCourt and other modular-type floors have grown in popularity in recent years. Modular floors are popular with rinks that specialize in hockey. SkateCourt uses 10" square tiles that connect together with virtually no seam.
Concrete can be easily painted as well as the wood. Can put on lines, circles, and logo of the rink.
Rinks also today are adding amusements not just the arcade. They are adding laser tag type of games, go-carts, mini-golf, batting ranges, golf ranges, ice cream stands, or any family fun amusements.
Sadly, many rinks are folded and most likely they are converted to bowling centers as I have noticed in my research and adding rinks on this site. Others turned to bars, and many rinks also are converting to ice rinks. Mostly converted to bowling centers or ice rinks. Also many converted to churches.
The 2010s and beyond.
Roller rinks today are opening up by the towns, cities, and counties as an outdoor facility these days because many roller rinks shut down because of high taxes. Most rinks according to many articles said owners shut down because of high taxes. Rinks are big facilities and this brings high taxes on the property, not counting sales taxes. Or federal income taxes.
Property and federal income taxes are the main reasons for shut down. So, in about face, the very same governments who got them shut down are opening up rinks like the Brooklyn Pier 2 which is right by the Brooklyn Bridge and you can see the city skyline from the pier and it functions as a roller rink in late Spring to early Fall before it gets too cold and they convert it to ice rink. The other rink in Brooklyn is the rink of the future. Again, outdoors but the center of focus on design is the ceiling. It has new age of lighting with LED lights, curved led tubes and halo lights acting as night skyline at Brooklyn's Lakeside Prospect Park. See photo below. Notice the ceiling?
New colors would show up as well. And adding in-line skates, derby skates in rental booth (see photo above to find them!)
Carpets were designed to slow down skaters when they are not on the rink. This concept was originally put in rink centers on walls and on floor off the rink because of the style back then but they must have discovered its purpose is to slow down skaters. In pre-1960s, carpets were not that crazy popular at the time but the entire skate centers were all wood back then. This perhaps made problems for people who wanted to rest after skating and make children slow down on their skates. The carpets solved that problem. It also softened up injuries when they fall on the carpet floors to reduce injuries and insurance as well. Likely carpets are made to stay for indoor rinks.
2000s and 2010s, a new generation of rinks.
Roller rinks needed to survive after the golden era and silver era of in-line skates were over, they are discovering other purposes. Like painted wooden floors, or gone cheaper such as rinks with four different choices now: Besides age old known as wood floor- the Maple hardwood, which can last 25 to 50 years without much maintenance. There are Concrete (ie-Empire Skates East) which is the cheapest. Also there are two others-Rollerboard floors have become more popular in more recent years. They are made with tongue-and-groove joint sheets of a super high-density particle-type board for secure installation. A rollerboard floor must always have good solid coat of a urethane skate floor coating though. Then there is SkateCourt and other modular-type floors have grown in popularity in recent years. Modular floors are popular with rinks that specialize in hockey. SkateCourt uses 10" square tiles that connect together with virtually no seam.
Concrete can be easily painted as well as the wood. Can put on lines, circles, and logo of the rink.
Rinks also today are adding amusements not just the arcade. They are adding laser tag type of games, go-carts, mini-golf, batting ranges, golf ranges, ice cream stands, or any family fun amusements.
Sadly, many rinks are folded and most likely they are converted to bowling centers as I have noticed in my research and adding rinks on this site. Others turned to bars, and many rinks also are converting to ice rinks. Mostly converted to bowling centers or ice rinks. Also many converted to churches.
The 2010s and beyond.
Roller rinks today are opening up by the towns, cities, and counties as an outdoor facility these days because many roller rinks shut down because of high taxes. Most rinks according to many articles said owners shut down because of high taxes. Rinks are big facilities and this brings high taxes on the property, not counting sales taxes. Or federal income taxes.
Property and federal income taxes are the main reasons for shut down. So, in about face, the very same governments who got them shut down are opening up rinks like the Brooklyn Pier 2 which is right by the Brooklyn Bridge and you can see the city skyline from the pier and it functions as a roller rink in late Spring to early Fall before it gets too cold and they convert it to ice rink. The other rink in Brooklyn is the rink of the future. Again, outdoors but the center of focus on design is the ceiling. It has new age of lighting with LED lights, curved led tubes and halo lights acting as night skyline at Brooklyn's Lakeside Prospect Park. See photo below. Notice the ceiling?
Also rinks are having huge HDTV, smart TVs, many televisions that they can see music videos, virtual disco videos, or even virtual fireplace if opened for Christmas.. you name it.
Rinks need a profit and rarely some rinks will even have alcoholic beverages. It is basically a bar with a skating rink instead of a dance floor. They may have a dance floor section at the same location. They would have two different venue with one DJ playing which cuts cost of duplicating everything.
Skating is supposed to be for everyone. It is sure a sad lost art of figure skating, couple skating, ballroom skating...
In meantime, rinks that survived since 1980s have seen just less than a dozen skaters per night. I experienced that on August 11, 1984 for instance. I recalled that date because there were only FOUR of us skating. Three of us actual skated but one did not skate which was my old friend and we both guys were there skating then I went over to the dance center with my friend because I was tired for the evening. This was 2 hours after skating or three hours. Just an hour left before it closed for the night, 2 females came over to the dance center. This was at Sports-O-Rama Roller Rink in Mattydale. There were no choice to ask females to dance. Instead, one came up to me to ask her friend to dance a slow dance and we did.. it was the last dance. I got her number but lost it in my pocket because my mother washed the pants and the number was washed gone! Oh mom!
It was special though because no one else was dancing. Just this female and I danced.
That evidence of skating was already declining and it was 1984. That rink sadly closed too many years much later. They closed in 2008, one year shy of 50th Anniversary.
Empire Skates in Dewitt, wall to wall in mid-March 1978 but March 1983.. 7 skaters including floor guard. Big loss.
Will roller skates come back? That is the question to be seen. Syracuse, NY has no rinks and smaller towns do. Utica, Fulton, Binghamton... to name a few.
Will rinks have new style of rink? They should. I designed in 1984 a new amusement center that would have 35 different features to do. Roller Skating, ice skating, restaurant, movie theaters, old movie run theaters, drama theater, go kart, carhop restaurants, car shows with cruising strip, hotel, convention center, bowling alley, mini-golf, fitness center, swim pool, indoor ski center, motor-sports dealership, RV dealership, RV park, playgrounds indoors, outdoors, dating service, and many more. The roller rinks I have designed was to evolve from the flat rinks they had for long time. This time a little bit curved on the edge of turns and I designed it not to be an oval. I designed to have several curves and hills and valleys of the rink. all the zig-zagging of the rink of the future.
Suggestion of the future for rinks
They needs to design rinks more attractive. Not just standard hockey rink sized shaped flat rink. They already have 4 different materials for floors. Now, they need to design a floor that will have all the bells and whistles. That is the zig-zag track of rink. the curves, the turns tips up slightly, the up-hill and down-hill types. Make it more interesting. Kind of like a children roller coaster format on the roller skates. Like a moto-cross or sno-cross of roller skate rinks of the future.
Maybe they need to house several rinks plus ice rinks. Several rinks like the zig-zag, standard hockey rink size rink, ice rink, ice zig-zag rink, roller derby rink, plus arcade, restaurants--perhaps restaurant in the middle of the rink. Just have to arrive and walk over or under the rink and walk to the center. Making the rink bigger. To understand this concept, try to use same size as the new Empire Expo Center building and built rink on the outside of the floor space by around the walls there. Image that and the center is all tables, chairs, locker, food. but bathrooms are on the outside of the rink. Or underground.
Be creative! Expensive yes, but well the investment if you want to stay competitive. Like snowmobiles manufacturers had to do with IFS and the Rider Forward platform when a company invents something. When they do, others have to keep up or be left in the dust forever and close up shop. That is what happened to dead brands for not keeping up with the IFS in early 1980s.
Skate rinks are facing that fate when not being creative. Skates already caught up with the in-line skates but its the rinks turn to be more creative with the rink itself. Also provide better customer services, better personalities, better food, and best of all, listen to your customers and be nice!
Go skating!
Rinks need a profit and rarely some rinks will even have alcoholic beverages. It is basically a bar with a skating rink instead of a dance floor. They may have a dance floor section at the same location. They would have two different venue with one DJ playing which cuts cost of duplicating everything.
Skating is supposed to be for everyone. It is sure a sad lost art of figure skating, couple skating, ballroom skating...
In meantime, rinks that survived since 1980s have seen just less than a dozen skaters per night. I experienced that on August 11, 1984 for instance. I recalled that date because there were only FOUR of us skating. Three of us actual skated but one did not skate which was my old friend and we both guys were there skating then I went over to the dance center with my friend because I was tired for the evening. This was 2 hours after skating or three hours. Just an hour left before it closed for the night, 2 females came over to the dance center. This was at Sports-O-Rama Roller Rink in Mattydale. There were no choice to ask females to dance. Instead, one came up to me to ask her friend to dance a slow dance and we did.. it was the last dance. I got her number but lost it in my pocket because my mother washed the pants and the number was washed gone! Oh mom!
It was special though because no one else was dancing. Just this female and I danced.
That evidence of skating was already declining and it was 1984. That rink sadly closed too many years much later. They closed in 2008, one year shy of 50th Anniversary.
Empire Skates in Dewitt, wall to wall in mid-March 1978 but March 1983.. 7 skaters including floor guard. Big loss.
Will roller skates come back? That is the question to be seen. Syracuse, NY has no rinks and smaller towns do. Utica, Fulton, Binghamton... to name a few.
Will rinks have new style of rink? They should. I designed in 1984 a new amusement center that would have 35 different features to do. Roller Skating, ice skating, restaurant, movie theaters, old movie run theaters, drama theater, go kart, carhop restaurants, car shows with cruising strip, hotel, convention center, bowling alley, mini-golf, fitness center, swim pool, indoor ski center, motor-sports dealership, RV dealership, RV park, playgrounds indoors, outdoors, dating service, and many more. The roller rinks I have designed was to evolve from the flat rinks they had for long time. This time a little bit curved on the edge of turns and I designed it not to be an oval. I designed to have several curves and hills and valleys of the rink. all the zig-zagging of the rink of the future.
Suggestion of the future for rinks
They needs to design rinks more attractive. Not just standard hockey rink sized shaped flat rink. They already have 4 different materials for floors. Now, they need to design a floor that will have all the bells and whistles. That is the zig-zag track of rink. the curves, the turns tips up slightly, the up-hill and down-hill types. Make it more interesting. Kind of like a children roller coaster format on the roller skates. Like a moto-cross or sno-cross of roller skate rinks of the future.
Maybe they need to house several rinks plus ice rinks. Several rinks like the zig-zag, standard hockey rink size rink, ice rink, ice zig-zag rink, roller derby rink, plus arcade, restaurants--perhaps restaurant in the middle of the rink. Just have to arrive and walk over or under the rink and walk to the center. Making the rink bigger. To understand this concept, try to use same size as the new Empire Expo Center building and built rink on the outside of the floor space by around the walls there. Image that and the center is all tables, chairs, locker, food. but bathrooms are on the outside of the rink. Or underground.
Be creative! Expensive yes, but well the investment if you want to stay competitive. Like snowmobiles manufacturers had to do with IFS and the Rider Forward platform when a company invents something. When they do, others have to keep up or be left in the dust forever and close up shop. That is what happened to dead brands for not keeping up with the IFS in early 1980s.
Skate rinks are facing that fate when not being creative. Skates already caught up with the in-line skates but its the rinks turn to be more creative with the rink itself. Also provide better customer services, better personalities, better food, and best of all, listen to your customers and be nice!
Go skating!
This is new ice rink of the future and you see how it is done? part of it standard hockey rink shape with a river like for skating. Make it more attractive! Courtesy of Boston magazine. Apparently for Boston, MA.
Be creative architecturally! This is NBA Bucks' new proposal for new arena. It is Googie Architecture.
This is a new facility just opened. It is two season rinks-that is, ice skating in winter and summer, roller skating. See the shape? Be creative! This facility is in Spokane, Washington. Courtesy of Spokane, WA. It can be done for indoors. Why not start a rink outdoors too? Be creative!