Fast Forward Skate Center 4649 Verona Road, Madison, WI. Same logo I can tell was from 1980s because of the style belonged to that decade. Usually ran mid-1980s to 1995 for this style. It belonged to the Memphis Group style of graphic art. Source: Google.
Fast Forward Skate Center 4649 Verona Road, Madison, WI. Source: Fast Forward Skate Center.
Fast Forward Skate Center 4649 Verona Road, Madison, WI. Someone used the drone to take this pretty good picture. Source: Google.
Fast Forward Skate Center 4649 Verona Road, Madison, WI. The rink during the day perhaps during the week. yes, I see grass and weeds growing and needs to trim. Source: Google.
Fast Forward Skate Center 4649 Verona Road, Madison, WI. Source: Google. Now you know how high those cameras are on Google car. You can see the reflexions. They go all over the country. Apparently this is a good comparison of high high it is mounted. Likely 10 Feet high.
Fast Forward Skate Center 4649 Verona Road, Madison, WI. This is actually two photos into one to make it look panoramic perspective. It was hard to match up. Source: Fast Fowrward Skate Center. © Copyrighted by Dead-Rinks, an International Commercial Archeology Preservation© Group. All Rights Reserved. Photo collage.
Fast Forward Skate Center 4649 Verona Road, Madison, WI. Games in foreground as rental on the right and eating area on the left. Source: Google.
Fast Forward Skate Center 4649 Verona Road, Madison, WI. Prize store. Source: Fast Forward Skate Center.
Fast Forward Skate Center 4649 Verona Road, Madison, WI. Pro shop and concession stand. Source: Fast Forward Skate Center.
Fast Forward Skate Center 4649 Verona Road, Madison, WI. Foosball is shown among with other things. Source: Fast Forward Skate Center.
Fast Forward Skate Center 4649 Verona Road, Madison, WI. This rink is designed for Roller Hockey. You can see the common Hockey half-walls in white and wooden gate so that when they play hockey, those doors are closed. Exactly like you see in any NHL games. I love the ceiling! Steel sheets for the ceiling. Very Industrial look. It looked so well with this rink. And the lights as how well it reflex on the ceiling. I love this type of décor and how the lights function. Simple Disco feel. Not complicated! My goodness. Source: Google.
Fast Forward Skate Center 4649 Verona Road, Madison, WI. Another excellent view. See how it reflex well? I love this! Source: Google.
Fast Forward Skate Center 4649 Verona Road, Madison, WI. Seen when there is going to be Roller Hockey. Sure does look like Ice. I went to the NYS Fair and felt the floor for Curling (has no ice but the same material as this rink as they told me) so this is the same. Source: Fast Forward Skate Center
Fast Forward Skate Center 4649 Verona Road, Madison, WI. Seen when there is going to be Roller Hockey. Sure does look like Ice. I went to the NYS Fair and felt the floor for Curling (has no ice but the same material as this rink as they told me) so this is the same. Source: Fast Forward Skate Center
Fast Forward Skate Center 4649 Verona Road, Madison, WI. Source: Fast Forward Skate Center.
Fast Forward Skate Center 4649 Verona Road, Madison, WI. Games in background and eating area in foreground. Source: Fast Forward Skate Center.
Fast Forward Skate Center 4649 Verona Road, Madison, WI. Skate Rentals. Source: Fast Forward Skate Center.
Fast Forward Skate Center 4649 Verona Road, Madison, WI. Source: Fast Forward Skate Center.
Fast Forward Skate Center 4649 Verona Road, Madison, WI. Brrr! Source: Google.
Fast Forward Skate Center 4649 Verona Road, Madison, WI. Designed by Knothe & Bruce Architects, LLC for Lincoln Avenue Capital of Santa Monica, CA. Source: Knothe & Bruce Architects, LLC/Lincoln Avenue Capital.
Fast Forward Skate Center 4649 Verona Road, Madison, WI. Legal notice. Source: Winconsin News - 23 August 2022.
Fast Forward Skate Center 4649 Verona Road, Madison, WI. This presentation rendering displayed the new 4 stories "Affordable" apartments. Designed by Knothe & Bruce Architects, LLC for Lincoln Avenue Capital of Santa Monica, CA. Source: Knothe & Bruce Architects, LLC/Lincoln Avenue Capital.
Fast Forward Skate Center 4649 Verona Road, Madison, WI
Time flew fast for Fast Forward Skate Center 4649 Verona Road, Madison, Wisconsin when they close for good in 2022. That is because the City of Madison’s Plan Commission voted Monday night on a proposal to replace the Fast Forward Skate Center with a four-story, 70-unit housing project, passing the plan on a unanimous vote. That would really upset skaters in Madison because that was the last rink in the area. Hopefully a new rink will open up soon as the article stated in NBC 15 website.
By the way, the title name and address are in Fire Red because it was just announced that they will close in the next few months. I received information today on 30 August 2022 that they will close soon and be demolished to make way for a 70 unit 4 story apartment building for low income residents. Affordable low cost living for people with limited sources of income.
Originally the rink was a bowling center in 1963 and they closed and remodeled by new management in 1990. The most recent Operator is John Mangold, who owns both the Fast Forward building and business and the Operating Manager is Justin Elling as of 2022.
The rink was said to have open skating, Roller Hockey, and Roller Derby.
The city assessor’s website says. It has an assessed value of $742,000 for 2022.
I pray there is a good news for skaters in Madison. Mad Town Skate may be open but they need your financial support!
UPDATE! -- 01 September 2022.
I received an email from Justin Alling, the manager of the rink. Here is what he says in his email.
I can assure you this rink closing has nothing to do with COVID as we are back to pre covid numbers. However ownership choose not to work with me on a purchase as I have attempted many times over the past 7 years and am pivoting to opening a new rink in a different location once I find proper space.
Mad Town Skate Fundraising. (Please click this and support)!
(Now Skaters, lets focus on this rink and this website!)
Mad Town Skate.
Our rink is about 13,500 sq/ft and currently has versa court flooring. That was updated in 2018 from Rollerboard which was put down in 1994. The building is 25,000 sq. feet and we opened December of 1990.
We house the local roller hockey league, which I personally own, roller derby practices and are the only skating rink within 45 minutes of Madison so losing this is affecting a lot of different groups of people. There is an absolute need for this in Madison and I will find a new place to open a new better rink elsewhere.
Justin, thank you so much for those valuable information and to correct reasons. Of course, do not trust media although this is my media. That is why i write to you and other managers, operators, staff even web staff to answer my questions about roller rinks around the world.
I wish nothing but the best for you Justin to have your new rink open up and operational. I wish I can be there to see the ending of this soon to be closed rink and see your new rink someday. I have the links here for my patrons to check the rink and have them go to the link and donate as I am willing to help you and your league as well. And for the Derby girls to be able to skate as well.
I am glad to hear the numbers are back up. Many rinks have reported up.
Again, thank you!
The Interior.
Originally it was a bowling center so I have no idea how many lanes. When they converted to the roller rink, the floor was converted. They currently have Versa Court flooring. That was updated in 2018 from Rollerboard which was put down in 1994.
The (rink) had 13,500 SF and currently has Versa Court flooring. That was updated in 2018 from Rollerboard which was put down in 1994. The building is 25,000 sq feet and we opened December of 1990.
The place was very simple and plain. Not fancy. The rink floor being a Roller Hockey with the RollerCourt, the walls around the rink was Davy Grey like and the Half Wall was Black Eel. Apparently both were grey colors.
The carpet was likely Dusty Blue/Demin Blue which was very common/popular in 1980s and very early 1990s. However, they had some Black Light carpeting on some walls as it was a replacement.
The ceiling is quite interesting that they had was Steel sheets similar to the usage on exterior walls of warehouses and commonly used at newer roller rinks after 1965 on from around the world.
The Exterior.
This building was designed in late 1950s which made an appearance of that 1950s look with a tall signage wall which was very much of a MCM known as Mid-Century Modern or even Googie's. Many grocery stores back then had that look. I did look a bit like a grocery store but it was built in 1960 for the bowling center.
The colors may have changed throughout the years. Most recent was Snow-White. Before that, they had Aqua/Sea colors. With White Blue on top quarter of the building and each quarter way down, bit mor darker hue of blue. To the bottom quarter the heaviest hue of blue. Those colors would made people feel cold and place act like an ice rink rather than a roller rink. The skating rink should have shown more warm colors quite opposite of Wisconsin snowy winters. Tans, Dark Greens, Red, Orange.. something! Maybe a set of school color they are in. Few rinks have that.
The Stats:
1990 Rink Size: N/A. Floor: Concrete? Floor Layout: Standard.
1994 Rink Size: 13,500 SF. Floor: Rollerboard (later painted as Roller Hockey) Floor Layout: Standard, Roller Hockey.
2017 Rink Size: 13,500 Floor: White RollerCourt Floor Layout: Tiles.
Building Size: 22,535 SF. Built: N/A. Renovations: N/A. Demolished: Still standing.
Type of Building: Free-Span Steel Trusses Steel - Walled Warehouse - like Building.
Roof: Gabled.
Acres: 2.6380
Organ: None.
10 Pins Bowling Lanes: (originally a bowling alley, numbers of lanes unknown).
Duck Pins Bowling Lanes: None.
Candlestick Bowling Lanes: None.
Pocket Billiard Tables: N/A.
Amusement Rides: None.
Driving Range Slots: None.
Miniature Golf Course: None.
Arcade: 16 to 20 games (counted based on photos)
Skee-Ball: None.
Fascination: None.
Restaurant: None.
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.
Operated: (Overall)-- 1990 to Construction will demolish the rink.
Reason for Closure: owner not wanting to work with Justin and a relocation would be necessary for Justin to restart by having a new rink. Please click on links I have on this site.
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 Dead-Rinks. Thank you. You can also use this form.
Sources:
NBC 15 - Announcing the planning approved the rink to be demolished and built apartments.
Fast Forward Skate Center - Website. (Image archived by Dead-Rinks).
The Cap Times - Announcing the planning approved the rink to be demolished and built apartments.
Wisconsin News - About the rink to be destroyed.
WKOW 27 - Announced to demolish rink.
Four Square
LoopNet - Property Records.
Yelp
Email- Justin Alling, Manager.
Mad Town Skate Fundraising. (Please click this and support)!
(Now Skaters, lets focus on this rink and this website!)
Mad Town Skate.
The planning for the former rink:
City of Madison Planning - Public Records.
Application - Public Records.
Letter - Public Records.
Survey - Public Records.
Application - subdivision form.
Plans - 37 pages long. Due to the fact it has too much memory for this website due to the nature of CAD Drafting Design PDF file. To see it, you will need to copy and paste the file onto your search bar:
https://www.cityofmadison.com/dpced/planning/documents/4649vr_plans.pdf
Date of issue: 30 August 2022.
Update: 01 August 2022.
For office use only: 21.
Worth to visit:
It has been sold so check with the rink for any last days of operations so please check with them. Final call! You can still skate until the new owner gets the permission to demolish the rink and built a new subsidizing housing for income-limited people. Please check their website: Fast Forward Skate Center. Please do take pictures and send it to me!
DISCLAIMER:
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.
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.
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 Dead-Rinks are not the property of Dead-Rinks therefore we do not own the rights to the music.
All photos you submitted or we retrieved become property of Dead-Rinks 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: Dead-Rinks List.
© Copyrighted by Dead-Rinks, an International Commercial Archeology Preservation© Group. All Rights Reserved. Jn 3:3 to 16. Deut. 32:7.
By the way, the title name and address are in Fire Red because it was just announced that they will close in the next few months. I received information today on 30 August 2022 that they will close soon and be demolished to make way for a 70 unit 4 story apartment building for low income residents. Affordable low cost living for people with limited sources of income.
Originally the rink was a bowling center in 1963 and they closed and remodeled by new management in 1990. The most recent Operator is John Mangold, who owns both the Fast Forward building and business and the Operating Manager is Justin Elling as of 2022.
The rink was said to have open skating, Roller Hockey, and Roller Derby.
The city assessor’s website says. It has an assessed value of $742,000 for 2022.
I pray there is a good news for skaters in Madison. Mad Town Skate may be open but they need your financial support!
UPDATE! -- 01 September 2022.
I received an email from Justin Alling, the manager of the rink. Here is what he says in his email.
I can assure you this rink closing has nothing to do with COVID as we are back to pre covid numbers. However ownership choose not to work with me on a purchase as I have attempted many times over the past 7 years and am pivoting to opening a new rink in a different location once I find proper space.
Mad Town Skate Fundraising. (Please click this and support)!
(Now Skaters, lets focus on this rink and this website!)
Mad Town Skate.
Our rink is about 13,500 sq/ft and currently has versa court flooring. That was updated in 2018 from Rollerboard which was put down in 1994. The building is 25,000 sq. feet and we opened December of 1990.
We house the local roller hockey league, which I personally own, roller derby practices and are the only skating rink within 45 minutes of Madison so losing this is affecting a lot of different groups of people. There is an absolute need for this in Madison and I will find a new place to open a new better rink elsewhere.
Justin, thank you so much for those valuable information and to correct reasons. Of course, do not trust media although this is my media. That is why i write to you and other managers, operators, staff even web staff to answer my questions about roller rinks around the world.
I wish nothing but the best for you Justin to have your new rink open up and operational. I wish I can be there to see the ending of this soon to be closed rink and see your new rink someday. I have the links here for my patrons to check the rink and have them go to the link and donate as I am willing to help you and your league as well. And for the Derby girls to be able to skate as well.
I am glad to hear the numbers are back up. Many rinks have reported up.
Again, thank you!
The Interior.
Originally it was a bowling center so I have no idea how many lanes. When they converted to the roller rink, the floor was converted. They currently have Versa Court flooring. That was updated in 2018 from Rollerboard which was put down in 1994.
The (rink) had 13,500 SF and currently has Versa Court flooring. That was updated in 2018 from Rollerboard which was put down in 1994. The building is 25,000 sq feet and we opened December of 1990.
The place was very simple and plain. Not fancy. The rink floor being a Roller Hockey with the RollerCourt, the walls around the rink was Davy Grey like and the Half Wall was Black Eel. Apparently both were grey colors.
The carpet was likely Dusty Blue/Demin Blue which was very common/popular in 1980s and very early 1990s. However, they had some Black Light carpeting on some walls as it was a replacement.
The ceiling is quite interesting that they had was Steel sheets similar to the usage on exterior walls of warehouses and commonly used at newer roller rinks after 1965 on from around the world.
The Exterior.
This building was designed in late 1950s which made an appearance of that 1950s look with a tall signage wall which was very much of a MCM known as Mid-Century Modern or even Googie's. Many grocery stores back then had that look. I did look a bit like a grocery store but it was built in 1960 for the bowling center.
The colors may have changed throughout the years. Most recent was Snow-White. Before that, they had Aqua/Sea colors. With White Blue on top quarter of the building and each quarter way down, bit mor darker hue of blue. To the bottom quarter the heaviest hue of blue. Those colors would made people feel cold and place act like an ice rink rather than a roller rink. The skating rink should have shown more warm colors quite opposite of Wisconsin snowy winters. Tans, Dark Greens, Red, Orange.. something! Maybe a set of school color they are in. Few rinks have that.
The Stats:
1990 Rink Size: N/A. Floor: Concrete? Floor Layout: Standard.
1994 Rink Size: 13,500 SF. Floor: Rollerboard (later painted as Roller Hockey) Floor Layout: Standard, Roller Hockey.
2017 Rink Size: 13,500 Floor: White RollerCourt Floor Layout: Tiles.
Building Size: 22,535 SF. Built: N/A. Renovations: N/A. Demolished: Still standing.
Type of Building: Free-Span Steel Trusses Steel - Walled Warehouse - like Building.
Roof: Gabled.
Acres: 2.6380
Organ: None.
10 Pins Bowling Lanes: (originally a bowling alley, numbers of lanes unknown).
Duck Pins Bowling Lanes: None.
Candlestick Bowling Lanes: None.
Pocket Billiard Tables: N/A.
Amusement Rides: None.
Driving Range Slots: None.
Miniature Golf Course: None.
Arcade: 16 to 20 games (counted based on photos)
Skee-Ball: None.
Fascination: None.
Restaurant: None.
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.
Operated: (Overall)-- 1990 to Construction will demolish the rink.
Reason for Closure: owner not wanting to work with Justin and a relocation would be necessary for Justin to restart by having a new rink. Please click on links I have on this site.
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 Dead-Rinks. Thank you. You can also use this form.
Sources:
NBC 15 - Announcing the planning approved the rink to be demolished and built apartments.
Fast Forward Skate Center - Website. (Image archived by Dead-Rinks).
The Cap Times - Announcing the planning approved the rink to be demolished and built apartments.
Wisconsin News - About the rink to be destroyed.
WKOW 27 - Announced to demolish rink.
Four Square
LoopNet - Property Records.
Yelp
Email- Justin Alling, Manager.
Mad Town Skate Fundraising. (Please click this and support)!
(Now Skaters, lets focus on this rink and this website!)
Mad Town Skate.
The planning for the former rink:
City of Madison Planning - Public Records.
Application - Public Records.
Letter - Public Records.
Survey - Public Records.
Application - subdivision form.
Plans - 37 pages long. Due to the fact it has too much memory for this website due to the nature of CAD Drafting Design PDF file. To see it, you will need to copy and paste the file onto your search bar:
https://www.cityofmadison.com/dpced/planning/documents/4649vr_plans.pdf
Date of issue: 30 August 2022.
Update: 01 August 2022.
For office use only: 21.
Worth to visit:
It has been sold so check with the rink for any last days of operations so please check with them. Final call! You can still skate until the new owner gets the permission to demolish the rink and built a new subsidizing housing for income-limited people. Please check their website: Fast Forward Skate Center. Please do take pictures and send it to me!
DISCLAIMER:
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.
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.
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 Dead-Rinks are not the property of Dead-Rinks therefore we do not own the rights to the music.
All photos you submitted or we retrieved become property of Dead-Rinks 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: Dead-Rinks List.
© Copyrighted by Dead-Rinks, an International Commercial Archeology Preservation© Group. All Rights Reserved. Jn 3:3 to 16. Deut. 32:7.