Columbia Expo Center, 1636 Exchange, Astoria, OR
Currently as Astoria Armory.
This place is not really a skating rink per se. It was a community center or rather a convention center. It does include roller skating. I mean the building is but different name now. Originally as Columbia Expo Center. Now it is Astoria Armory. Both are considered Non profit. It is a community. So, basically just name change.
Originally for Columbia Expo Center, it began in 1987 according to Bizapedia. The name change date is unknown. However, as Astoria Armory, it opened up on August 17, 2015 as Grand Opening. They include roller skating, indoor skateboard park, and they even have boxing matches. Also the interior the rink itself is actually designed as basketball court. And on one end, it has a small stage perhaps for theater or even for graduation, music, or any other events on stage. It is a community center. It houses in a large very high ceiling/roof building. It has arched roof similar to Quonset Hut format. It appears to be old armory building. It sits right next to a museum. In fact, they do connect part of the building. On the other side of front entrance, you would see the beautiful water side but its just 2 blocks down the street to the waterside. If you are going to go skating there at the current rink, the Astoria Armory, be sure check out seaside and the true-Googie style architecture there.
This is one highly recommended place to visit to see interesting facility that includes skating. Be sure check their Facebook page because it has schedule of when to skate. Not to be confuse when they set up something else going on there such as a boxing or whatever unless you want that to see also.
The floor is wood but it is pretty much marked for at least three basketball courts. One full court with two smaller courts and maybe I see volleyball court included. For skating, they use cones! For skateboard court, it is just two inverted banks. That is all. Real small.
The building, however, has rich history. It was opened in 1942 as National Guard Armory. Likely opened for war time. Big bands played there and used as dance hall. Dance halls were common in 1930s and 40s. it became skating rink in 1987 under the Columbia Expo Center banner. Then they closed in 1990s and it became a church for a while and sat idle as well. But in 2014, organizers organized and got the Armory reopened as community center. And yes, roller skating is back.
Rink Size: N/A Floor: N/A-type of wood is unknown. Floor Layout: Appeared to have several Basketball court outlines. Maybe also Volleyball.
Building Size: N/A Built: N/A
Roof: Quonset Hut with flat roofs.
Operated: As National Guard Armory: 1942 to ?
As Columbia Expo Center (Registered on): March 31, 1987 to 1990s
As a church: 1990s to 2000s.
As Astoria Armory: August 17, 2015 to present.
Reason for Closure:
Wanted: Information regarding photos as Columbia Expo Center. Why change name? Did they sell it or what?
Sources: Bizapedia, Astoria Armory website, Northern Oregon Coast, Way to Wellville website (tells of history of building)
© 2019 Dead Rinks. All Rights Reserved.
Currently as Astoria Armory.
This place is not really a skating rink per se. It was a community center or rather a convention center. It does include roller skating. I mean the building is but different name now. Originally as Columbia Expo Center. Now it is Astoria Armory. Both are considered Non profit. It is a community. So, basically just name change.
Originally for Columbia Expo Center, it began in 1987 according to Bizapedia. The name change date is unknown. However, as Astoria Armory, it opened up on August 17, 2015 as Grand Opening. They include roller skating, indoor skateboard park, and they even have boxing matches. Also the interior the rink itself is actually designed as basketball court. And on one end, it has a small stage perhaps for theater or even for graduation, music, or any other events on stage. It is a community center. It houses in a large very high ceiling/roof building. It has arched roof similar to Quonset Hut format. It appears to be old armory building. It sits right next to a museum. In fact, they do connect part of the building. On the other side of front entrance, you would see the beautiful water side but its just 2 blocks down the street to the waterside. If you are going to go skating there at the current rink, the Astoria Armory, be sure check out seaside and the true-Googie style architecture there.
This is one highly recommended place to visit to see interesting facility that includes skating. Be sure check their Facebook page because it has schedule of when to skate. Not to be confuse when they set up something else going on there such as a boxing or whatever unless you want that to see also.
The floor is wood but it is pretty much marked for at least three basketball courts. One full court with two smaller courts and maybe I see volleyball court included. For skating, they use cones! For skateboard court, it is just two inverted banks. That is all. Real small.
The building, however, has rich history. It was opened in 1942 as National Guard Armory. Likely opened for war time. Big bands played there and used as dance hall. Dance halls were common in 1930s and 40s. it became skating rink in 1987 under the Columbia Expo Center banner. Then they closed in 1990s and it became a church for a while and sat idle as well. But in 2014, organizers organized and got the Armory reopened as community center. And yes, roller skating is back.
Rink Size: N/A Floor: N/A-type of wood is unknown. Floor Layout: Appeared to have several Basketball court outlines. Maybe also Volleyball.
Building Size: N/A Built: N/A
Roof: Quonset Hut with flat roofs.
Operated: As National Guard Armory: 1942 to ?
As Columbia Expo Center (Registered on): March 31, 1987 to 1990s
As a church: 1990s to 2000s.
As Astoria Armory: August 17, 2015 to present.
Reason for Closure:
Wanted: Information regarding photos as Columbia Expo Center. Why change name? Did they sell it or what?
Sources: Bizapedia, Astoria Armory website, Northern Oregon Coast, Way to Wellville website (tells of history of building)
© 2019 Dead Rinks. All Rights Reserved.