Boswell Park Roller Skating Rink 4 Boswell Park, Strathclyde, Ayr, Scotland, UK. This is the original rink building seen in the photo with the new addition. The front half had torn down and rebuilt and burned down and end result was this. See last photo for actual count of windows. You can see it was sliced in half of this rink and new add ons were noted while leaving second half original building design intact.. This style was common of its time. Courtesy of Cammore.
Boswell Park Roller Skating Rink 4 Boswell Park, Strathclyde, Ayr, Scotland, UK. This is the original rink building before the addition up front. This style was common of its time. Courtesy of Cammore.
Boswell Park Roller Skating Rink 4 Boswell Park, Strathclyde, Ayr, Scotland, UK. This was taken in 2020s as Mega Bingo. Noticed the rear section is gone. They may have demolished that between 1968 and 2000s. Courtesy of Cammore.
Boswell Park Roller Skating Rink 4 Boswell Park, Strathclyde, Ayr, Scotland, UK. This was taken in 2020s as Mega Bingo. Courtesy of Google Maps.
Boswell Park Roller Skating Rink 4 Boswell Park, Strathclyde, Ayr, Scotland, UK. The only known, so far, photograph of the roller rink. It is rather long and slight narrower than a professional or Olympic hockey rink. They said it was 102 feet wide building but the length, it is a bit difficult to figure things out. The First photo is aerial view however, because of the partial teardown and the fire they had in 1923 and 1929, they saved the rear part of where the original rink was. You can count 13 windows shining through the windows to the rink floor in this photo. The first photo, a bird view showed later years that it was reduced to 8 windows. The rear windows count were different too. It was clearly renovations occurred. They reduced and added new addition. That was how. Second of all, the floor itself was Double Fan Straight Layout. One of earliest rink to featured Fan Layout. This showed it was designed for a roller rink, not as a dance hall. Many rinks had dance hall originally and their floors were Straight, no Fan layout. Courtesy of Ayr Remembered Facebook group.
Boswell Park Roller Skating Rink 4 Boswell Park, Strathclyde, Ayr, Scotland, UK. This was one of the last sessions for Mecca Bingo in Ayr.
Boswell Park Roller Skating Rink 4 Boswell Park, Strathclyde, Ayr Scotland, UK
Pavillion Roller Skating Rink 4 Boswell Park, Strathclyde, Ayr Scotland, UK
Pavillion Roller Skating Rink 4 Boswell Park, Strathclyde, Ayr Scotland, UK
Boswell Park Roller Skating Rink 4 Boswell Park, Strathclyde, Ayr Scotland, United Kingdom. They originally had this building as a roller rink before it closed a few short years later. Several different businesses were in use in that historic building that the United Kingdom even classified this building as historic.
Originally this building was built in 1911 as the Boswell Park Roller Skating Rink. The skating rink did not last long. You see, in 1914, George Green renovated the building into the 2,000 seat Boswell Park Pavilion Cinema. Later renamed as the Boswell Park Picturedrome and then La Scala Cinema, it was demolished after World War I, and a new cinema named the Playhouse was built for George Green in 1923. It was designed by John Fairweather with a seating capacity of 1,700. Sound equipment had just been installed in the Playhouse in September 1929, when the building was destroyed by a fire which started at the stage end. Architect John Fairweather was hired to design a larger cinema on the property. It occupied the same plot of land as the previous Playhouse but had a different frontage
After they built the new building, it was named as The Ayr Playhouse theatre on 8 July 1931. It was also called Green's Playhouse. The Green's Playhouse had 3,104 seats. The 2nd largest cinema in Scotland while being the 3rd largest cinema in the United Kingdom. Seating was provided for 1,738 in the stalls, 1,320 in the circle and boxes seating 46. The proscenium was 55 feet wide and the stage was 22 feet deep. There were four dressing rooms and the Playhouse was equipped with a café.
The exterior of the building is 102 feet wide and has a central window over the entrance. Inside the auditorium, the decoration has columns along the side-walls and a large dome in the center of the ceiling, very similar to other Green’s Playhouse Cinemas designed by the same John Fairweather who designed the roller rink.
Then housed a Mecca Bingo Hall since 1968, the numbers were called for the last time on Sunday 26th February 2023.
After the rink closed sometimes in 1910s, the movie theater expanded the frontage. You will notice the photos when you roll up again and see them. However, read on.
Apparently there is a confusion. Not my part. According to CinemaTreasures, this person really described clearly the history of the roller rink and movie theater and bingo hall. He described three generations of the spot. Meaning the roller rink building WAS torn down after the end of World War One--1917 to around 1923. A new built was complete in 1923. The other websites including CinemaTreasures then did say it was the same building. Other online articles said it was and a photograph showed more recent times that it was the same building AFTER the demolish and the fire. So, this is conflicting reports. I will describe both sides of stories until someone straighten this up. So, I have two alternating stories like I am in multi-verse. I feel like that Mysterious Man from Taured.
CinemaTreasures, please make your profile more clear.
Facebook is showing the photograph as well as Google Map (as bingo hall), and other sources however, it is showing that the rink was there long AFTER the First World War ended. Will the real story please stand up? Upon from reading and true photo evidence, the rink did NOT tear down and the fire was just local and quickly controlled. So, this means it is still standing. Anyone can vertfy this? I appreciate your answer. I have strong gut feeling that there is a huge error or two in CinemaTreasures for saying it was demolished. My photo evidence are showing it is still standing. How? The front half was built as an expansion. The bird view photos showed fron half wa build later. The rink building still standing but the front part was added.
Below this paragraph is the timeline of the property where the roller rink was. And next one the history of the building itself.
1911 to 1914 -
Boswell Park Roller Skating Rink
1914 to c. 1917 to 1923, 1923 to 8 July 1931-
Boswell Park Pavilion Cinema
Boswell Park Picturedrome
La Scala Cinema
8 July 1931 -
The Ayr Playhouse theatre on 8 July 1931. It was also called Green's Playhouse.
1968 to Sunday 26th February 2023 -
Mecca Bingo Hall
On 29 March 1999, Historic Scotland designated Greeen’s Playhouse a Grade C(s) Listed building. This was up-graded to Grade B in June 2008. It is a landmark.
Mecca Bingo company will have the building auctioned off on Wednesday 16th June 2023.
The Interior.
1911 to 1923-
As skating rink, it was Spacious interior with Lattice grid Segemental Arch with Monitor roofs, one on each side. This giving very spacious feel. There were two rows of seating in a stadium feel for spectators to watch skaters or to watch some show or circus or even skating show or even Roller Hockey or any Roller Sports. It had 13 rows of windows. Very spacious.
1923 to 1931-
Several changes to the rink by adding new extension to accommodate movie theater and stage theater.
1931 to present-
Converted to a Bingo Hall. The posts remains the same from the original as the roller rink. I noticed it is there in this photograph of Bingo during a Bingo session. However, it left the theater layout there inact including balconies on the sides and steps in rear (see photos).
The Exterior.
1911 to 1923-
Originally had Art Nouveau style or Baroque style with a little bit of Greco- Romanesque in it. Therefore it was very welcoming feel to the frontage for patrons to come. However, that did not last long as the new owner, George wanted it so different so he had it demolished by 1923...
1923 to 1968-
The new look which is presently the same since 1923. The new look has more modern, larger and had second story to the building yet, it had Gabled Roof for front half as the second half still the same as original.
The front has interesting Arched windows where the front doors have located. It has white paint.
But...
1968 to present-
The Segmental Arch Monitor building was torn down around at this time of 1968 as it was becoming a bingo hall. The roof was redone and it became Hip.
The Stats:
Rink Size: N/A. Floor: Likely Maple wood. Floor Layout: Double Straight Fan.
Building Size: (Original) N/A. (Present) 35,187 SF. Built: 1911. Renovations: 1923, 1929, 1931, 1968.
Demolished: Between 1917 and 1923. And new built in 1923, burned down in 1929 rebuilt that year with expansion, Old rink section demolished c. 1968.
Type of Building: Free-Span Steel Trusses Cinderblocks - Walled Arena - like Building.
Roof: Original was Segmental Arch with Monitor, 1923 on, adding Gable, From 1968 on, Hip.
Acres: 0.357 Acres.
Architect: John Fairweather (He did the rink design, then hired by George Green for his theater in later years)
Contractor: N/A.
Interior Designer: N/A.
Organ: N/A.
10 Pins Bowling Lanes: None.
Duck Pins Bowling Lanes: None.
Candlestick Bowling Lanes: None.
Pocket Billiard Tables: N/A.
Air Hockey Tables: N/A.
Foosball Table: N/A.
Basketball Speed: N/A.
Amusement Rides: None.
Driving Range Slots: None.
Miniature Golf Course: None.
Arcade: (Number unknown)
Skee-Ball: N/A.
Fascination: None.
Restaurant: Cafe (1931 on)
Cocktail lounge: None.
Laser Tag: None.
Bounce Houses: None.
Bumper Cars: None.
Go-Kart: None.
Motel: None.
Swimming Pool: None.
Jungle Gym Playground: None.
Skate Park: None.
Theater (movie/stage): (for original building rink converted to theater-) 2,000 seats movie theater. Later, expanded with Green's Playhouse, they had 3,104 seats.
Bingo Hall: Later on, yes from 1960s to 2023.
Operated: (Overall)-- 1911 to 1914.
Reason for Closure: Normal for many rinks from 1860s to 1920s, they close within 2 to 3 years. Likely people wanted new exciting entertainment, movies.
Wanted: Information regarding exact dates of open/closed, why closed, size of rink, rink materials. Also, photos/articles. Also send me any updates such as reopening, sold, name changes, or whatsoever occurred with this rink or any rinks. Anyone knows or have photos, please let me know by emailing at Rink-History©. Before you email, please state this rink name AND THE CITY AND STATE (or COUNTRY) so I can know where or what rink you are talking about. Thank you. We welcome both active and defunct rinks.
Sources:
CinemaTreasures - History of rink, theaters, bingo hall.
Bingo Daily - Closing of the bingo halls.
Facebook - Ayr Remembered. Photograph is included about this place.
Canmore - gallery of photos.
Bingo Daily - To be auctioned off in June 2023.
Date of issue:
09 June 2023.
For office use only:
6.
Worth to visit:
None.
DISCLAIMER:
International Roller Skating Rinks History Foundation© (formerly known as Dead-Rinks) and Mark Falso are not responsible for your physical and legal injuries you may have caused. We do not endorse such illegal activities including breaking and entry of former rinks, malls, abandoned buildings, etc. Please always obey laws and regulations and property owner's signs. Some states allow purple paint on fence which means they even have guns on their property and have rights to shoot you. Please DO NOT attempt to enter property without permission!
For abandoned rinks, after you receive permission, do WEAR safety OSHA equipment including a safety glasses, pair of safety gloves, an orange vest or a jacket, and a construction helmet.
Thank you for understanding.
Dead Rinks is now International Roller Skating Rinks History Foundation© because many former names have become new names at the same rinks that are still active and due to much confusion, We have decided that International Roller Skating Rinks History Foundation© fits better for all rinks including defunct, closed, inactive, rebooted, and rinks that are still active today. For short on this site, it is International Roller Skating Rinks History© Bear with us as we change the entire site page by page each day. Thank you for understanding.
Second of all: The contents including words and photos above on this page and/or on any pages are purely educational entertainment purposes only. I provide what information from other websites, skaters, and operators and it may end up with different results between two (or more) sources. It is not our responsible for errors we caused. All sources are shown on each page. All opinions and statements of mine are also stated and are for purely educational entertainment only.
Rinks that are closed are considered dead. Rinks that are/were sold and with new management names new name(s), the former are considered dead. Previous operating rink that closed but came back years later, are considered dead because the reopening is considered rebooted, nothing to do with the former. Since we are rebooted to allow alive rinks, active rinks, we welcome those active rinks as well. It will be described.
As for “For Office Only” is for my reasoning and private legal reason for that.
Any music associated with any YouTube or any other videos provided on International Roller Skating Rinks History Foundation© are not the property of International Commercial Archeology Preservation© Group and/or International Roller Skating Rinks History Foundation© therefore we do not own the rights to the music.
All photos you submitted or we retrieved become property of International Roller Skating Rinks History Foundation© and are watermarked but they are credited to you (or where the source is from). Thank you for understanding. To understand more about this, please go to this page: Disclaimer.
© Copyrighted by International Roller Skating Rinks History Foundation©, an International Commercial Archeology Preservation© Group. All Rights Reserved. Jn 3:3 to 17. Deut. 32:7.
Originally this building was built in 1911 as the Boswell Park Roller Skating Rink. The skating rink did not last long. You see, in 1914, George Green renovated the building into the 2,000 seat Boswell Park Pavilion Cinema. Later renamed as the Boswell Park Picturedrome and then La Scala Cinema, it was demolished after World War I, and a new cinema named the Playhouse was built for George Green in 1923. It was designed by John Fairweather with a seating capacity of 1,700. Sound equipment had just been installed in the Playhouse in September 1929, when the building was destroyed by a fire which started at the stage end. Architect John Fairweather was hired to design a larger cinema on the property. It occupied the same plot of land as the previous Playhouse but had a different frontage
After they built the new building, it was named as The Ayr Playhouse theatre on 8 July 1931. It was also called Green's Playhouse. The Green's Playhouse had 3,104 seats. The 2nd largest cinema in Scotland while being the 3rd largest cinema in the United Kingdom. Seating was provided for 1,738 in the stalls, 1,320 in the circle and boxes seating 46. The proscenium was 55 feet wide and the stage was 22 feet deep. There were four dressing rooms and the Playhouse was equipped with a café.
The exterior of the building is 102 feet wide and has a central window over the entrance. Inside the auditorium, the decoration has columns along the side-walls and a large dome in the center of the ceiling, very similar to other Green’s Playhouse Cinemas designed by the same John Fairweather who designed the roller rink.
Then housed a Mecca Bingo Hall since 1968, the numbers were called for the last time on Sunday 26th February 2023.
After the rink closed sometimes in 1910s, the movie theater expanded the frontage. You will notice the photos when you roll up again and see them. However, read on.
Apparently there is a confusion. Not my part. According to CinemaTreasures, this person really described clearly the history of the roller rink and movie theater and bingo hall. He described three generations of the spot. Meaning the roller rink building WAS torn down after the end of World War One--1917 to around 1923. A new built was complete in 1923. The other websites including CinemaTreasures then did say it was the same building. Other online articles said it was and a photograph showed more recent times that it was the same building AFTER the demolish and the fire. So, this is conflicting reports. I will describe both sides of stories until someone straighten this up. So, I have two alternating stories like I am in multi-verse. I feel like that Mysterious Man from Taured.
CinemaTreasures, please make your profile more clear.
Facebook is showing the photograph as well as Google Map (as bingo hall), and other sources however, it is showing that the rink was there long AFTER the First World War ended. Will the real story please stand up? Upon from reading and true photo evidence, the rink did NOT tear down and the fire was just local and quickly controlled. So, this means it is still standing. Anyone can vertfy this? I appreciate your answer. I have strong gut feeling that there is a huge error or two in CinemaTreasures for saying it was demolished. My photo evidence are showing it is still standing. How? The front half was built as an expansion. The bird view photos showed fron half wa build later. The rink building still standing but the front part was added.
Below this paragraph is the timeline of the property where the roller rink was. And next one the history of the building itself.
1911 to 1914 -
Boswell Park Roller Skating Rink
1914 to c. 1917 to 1923, 1923 to 8 July 1931-
Boswell Park Pavilion Cinema
Boswell Park Picturedrome
La Scala Cinema
8 July 1931 -
The Ayr Playhouse theatre on 8 July 1931. It was also called Green's Playhouse.
1968 to Sunday 26th February 2023 -
Mecca Bingo Hall
On 29 March 1999, Historic Scotland designated Greeen’s Playhouse a Grade C(s) Listed building. This was up-graded to Grade B in June 2008. It is a landmark.
Mecca Bingo company will have the building auctioned off on Wednesday 16th June 2023.
The Interior.
1911 to 1923-
As skating rink, it was Spacious interior with Lattice grid Segemental Arch with Monitor roofs, one on each side. This giving very spacious feel. There were two rows of seating in a stadium feel for spectators to watch skaters or to watch some show or circus or even skating show or even Roller Hockey or any Roller Sports. It had 13 rows of windows. Very spacious.
1923 to 1931-
Several changes to the rink by adding new extension to accommodate movie theater and stage theater.
1931 to present-
Converted to a Bingo Hall. The posts remains the same from the original as the roller rink. I noticed it is there in this photograph of Bingo during a Bingo session. However, it left the theater layout there inact including balconies on the sides and steps in rear (see photos).
The Exterior.
1911 to 1923-
Originally had Art Nouveau style or Baroque style with a little bit of Greco- Romanesque in it. Therefore it was very welcoming feel to the frontage for patrons to come. However, that did not last long as the new owner, George wanted it so different so he had it demolished by 1923...
1923 to 1968-
The new look which is presently the same since 1923. The new look has more modern, larger and had second story to the building yet, it had Gabled Roof for front half as the second half still the same as original.
The front has interesting Arched windows where the front doors have located. It has white paint.
But...
1968 to present-
The Segmental Arch Monitor building was torn down around at this time of 1968 as it was becoming a bingo hall. The roof was redone and it became Hip.
The Stats:
Rink Size: N/A. Floor: Likely Maple wood. Floor Layout: Double Straight Fan.
Building Size: (Original) N/A. (Present) 35,187 SF. Built: 1911. Renovations: 1923, 1929, 1931, 1968.
Demolished: Between 1917 and 1923. And new built in 1923, burned down in 1929 rebuilt that year with expansion, Old rink section demolished c. 1968.
Type of Building: Free-Span Steel Trusses Cinderblocks - Walled Arena - like Building.
Roof: Original was Segmental Arch with Monitor, 1923 on, adding Gable, From 1968 on, Hip.
Acres: 0.357 Acres.
Architect: John Fairweather (He did the rink design, then hired by George Green for his theater in later years)
Contractor: N/A.
Interior Designer: N/A.
Organ: N/A.
10 Pins Bowling Lanes: None.
Duck Pins Bowling Lanes: None.
Candlestick Bowling Lanes: None.
Pocket Billiard Tables: N/A.
Air Hockey Tables: N/A.
Foosball Table: N/A.
Basketball Speed: N/A.
Amusement Rides: None.
Driving Range Slots: None.
Miniature Golf Course: None.
Arcade: (Number unknown)
Skee-Ball: N/A.
Fascination: None.
Restaurant: Cafe (1931 on)
Cocktail lounge: None.
Laser Tag: None.
Bounce Houses: None.
Bumper Cars: None.
Go-Kart: None.
Motel: None.
Swimming Pool: None.
Jungle Gym Playground: None.
Skate Park: None.
Theater (movie/stage): (for original building rink converted to theater-) 2,000 seats movie theater. Later, expanded with Green's Playhouse, they had 3,104 seats.
Bingo Hall: Later on, yes from 1960s to 2023.
Operated: (Overall)-- 1911 to 1914.
Reason for Closure: Normal for many rinks from 1860s to 1920s, they close within 2 to 3 years. Likely people wanted new exciting entertainment, movies.
Wanted: Information regarding exact dates of open/closed, why closed, size of rink, rink materials. Also, photos/articles. Also send me any updates such as reopening, sold, name changes, or whatsoever occurred with this rink or any rinks. Anyone knows or have photos, please let me know by emailing at Rink-History©. Before you email, please state this rink name AND THE CITY AND STATE (or COUNTRY) so I can know where or what rink you are talking about. Thank you. We welcome both active and defunct rinks.
Sources:
CinemaTreasures - History of rink, theaters, bingo hall.
Bingo Daily - Closing of the bingo halls.
Facebook - Ayr Remembered. Photograph is included about this place.
Canmore - gallery of photos.
Bingo Daily - To be auctioned off in June 2023.
Date of issue:
09 June 2023.
For office use only:
6.
Worth to visit:
None.
DISCLAIMER:
International Roller Skating Rinks History Foundation© (formerly known as Dead-Rinks) and Mark Falso are not responsible for your physical and legal injuries you may have caused. We do not endorse such illegal activities including breaking and entry of former rinks, malls, abandoned buildings, etc. Please always obey laws and regulations and property owner's signs. Some states allow purple paint on fence which means they even have guns on their property and have rights to shoot you. Please DO NOT attempt to enter property without permission!
For abandoned rinks, after you receive permission, do WEAR safety OSHA equipment including a safety glasses, pair of safety gloves, an orange vest or a jacket, and a construction helmet.
Thank you for understanding.
Dead Rinks is now International Roller Skating Rinks History Foundation© because many former names have become new names at the same rinks that are still active and due to much confusion, We have decided that International Roller Skating Rinks History Foundation© fits better for all rinks including defunct, closed, inactive, rebooted, and rinks that are still active today. For short on this site, it is International Roller Skating Rinks History© Bear with us as we change the entire site page by page each day. Thank you for understanding.
Second of all: The contents including words and photos above on this page and/or on any pages are purely educational entertainment purposes only. I provide what information from other websites, skaters, and operators and it may end up with different results between two (or more) sources. It is not our responsible for errors we caused. All sources are shown on each page. All opinions and statements of mine are also stated and are for purely educational entertainment only.
Rinks that are closed are considered dead. Rinks that are/were sold and with new management names new name(s), the former are considered dead. Previous operating rink that closed but came back years later, are considered dead because the reopening is considered rebooted, nothing to do with the former. Since we are rebooted to allow alive rinks, active rinks, we welcome those active rinks as well. It will be described.
As for “For Office Only” is for my reasoning and private legal reason for that.
Any music associated with any YouTube or any other videos provided on International Roller Skating Rinks History Foundation© are not the property of International Commercial Archeology Preservation© Group and/or International Roller Skating Rinks History Foundation© therefore we do not own the rights to the music.
All photos you submitted or we retrieved become property of International Roller Skating Rinks History Foundation© and are watermarked but they are credited to you (or where the source is from). Thank you for understanding. To understand more about this, please go to this page: Disclaimer.
© Copyrighted by International Roller Skating Rinks History Foundation©, an International Commercial Archeology Preservation© Group. All Rights Reserved. Jn 3:3 to 17. Deut. 32:7.