Courtesy of Roy Strebing Family Collection. The original building. Was it the same place as the most recent rink? Good question!
Courtesy of Loop Net. I see the Thunderbird. Was this rink also called Thunderbird Roller Rink? I think so.
Courtesy of Google Map. Taken in 2008. I know poor quality Google Map did back the day. And Sun glare. That green sign shows ATV, not Snowmobile (NYS has more of snowmobiles than ATV).
Courtesy of LaCrosse Tribune. Showing that it would be reopened for January 1, 2012. Taken in October 2011.
Bottom two above: Google Map. Taken in 2015 when it was still operational as a rink and diner. But the bottom is taken in 2020 as they are now unknown. That is too bad because now there is not going to be a 100 anniversary of the rink. Real sad.
Courtesy of Lake Arbutus Pavilion / The Laufenbergs. Only interer I ever seen. I see the wood. Poor wood. It has shrink.. Look, it was very long time they used this wood at the rink. This is why it shrank.
Lake Arbutus Pavilion N9501 Thunderbird Ln, Hatfield, WI (Original)
Thunderbird Roller Rink N9501 Thunderbird Lane, Hatfield, WI
Club Twilight Roller Rink N9501 Thunderbird Ln, Hatfield, WI
Lake Arbutus Pavilion N9501 Thunderbird Ln, Hatfield, WI (Rebooted)
Thunderbird Roller Rink N9501 Thunderbird Lane, Hatfield, WI
Club Twilight Roller Rink N9501 Thunderbird Ln, Hatfield, WI
Lake Arbutus Pavilion N9501 Thunderbird Ln, Hatfield, WI (Rebooted)
Originally, Lake Arbutus Pavilion was established in 1927 on N9501 Thunderbird Lane, Hatfield, Wisconsin before it became Club Twilight Roller Rink but then due to a fire, they closed and returned after rebuilt as Lake Arbutus Pavilion once again and they are closed again. Sad. It is in a beautiful country side small town by a lake as I can see on Google Map. It is beautiful. In between Lake Arbutus Pavilion, the original, and Club Twilight Roller Rink was the Thunderbird Roller Rink which was named because of the road, Thunderbird Lane.
Joe Hanus, the “Father of Hatfield,” opened the Lake Arbutus Pavilion in June 16, 1921. About 2,000 residents from several area communities attended the grand opening event. Perhaps quite a bit from the town Hatfield went skating that night. From what I saw in the photo, try to fit 2,000 skaters and patrons, that was way crowded. In 1938, he sold the pavilion to Joe and Violet Vieau.
It has a very long history and it goes back to 1927 according to the cornerstone at the former rink. The original appearance was very different. A house-like rink (See photo). It was used for community purposes both dancing and roller skating. Hence the name was Pavilion instead of "Roller Rink". It was a popular place to skate and other activities as well. Even family events in a town (modern day: 5000 people but in winter time, 50 people). Truly out in the country and the rink was the place for everyone to attend. Like a saloon in old Wild West movies everyone comes in or a restaurant. (Watch any TV shows and you will see everyone from town with that size or smaller would arrive. Makes sense. I know movies and shows are fakes but the idea is there).
As years goes on which I do not have information somehow it became Club Twilight Roller Rink which sounded like it was changed to meet children and teenagers to skate but after that mishap, they closed after the fire and rebuilt and reopened as Lake Arbutus Pavilion once again. The building is quite different.
The fire occurred during second week of January 2011 but by October 2011, they reopened again, for the last time. They closed for good according to Facebook in February 9, 2018 due to the owner's health. It is permanently closed according to Facebook.
Hope Laufenberg and her husband Jerome along with Hope’s brother Russ Shoemaker and his wife Lori purchased and restored the rink after Club Twilight Roller Rink suffered a 300,000 USD loss in damages.
It comes to an end for 90 years! One of longest running rinks. Unfortunately, they will not celebrate 100th anniversary of the rink because the rink ceased in 2018 for good.
Was this building the exact same building but heavily renovated the original rink seen in photo on top?
The rink usually opened during summers because of population went elsewhere due to this location as a summer camp town.
The Interior.
Small rink but the rink itself pretty much occupied most of the floor. It was Maple floor. The original building likely was Maple as well. The relocated had Maple as well. The 40' x 80' skating / dance floor was built with 48 springs situated under it to give it elasticity for skaters and dancers. Tables and chairs were set around the center area for spectators,. It was reversed! Tables and chairs inside the center and skate on the outside of eating area! Must be tough to skate or walk through the skating traffic. Dancing was bit easier to walk through. The floor was truly like a bed spring. I am sure as time went on and it was quite bouncy to skate.
4,180 Square Feet was the size for this tiny rink building. Yes, it looked a little extra-large house with bit of abstracts such as the curved walls, and all. The rink was small. Having said, 40' x 80' is more than half of standard NHL rink size. That is small! 3,200 Square Feet for the rink alone. That is about 3/4 of entire floor plan. Part of the rebooted rink had a 50s style diner. Nice! Too bad I never got a chance to eat there right on the rink. Please open back uppppp!
Now, the article in LaCrosse Tribune said the most recent owner, Hope, went skating at Thunderbird Roller Rink. Was that the same rink I am writing here about? Reason I said that because of the street name is none other than Thunderbird! I will add this if I get confirmation from her or any of you skaters who skated at this rink.
The Exterior.
Original location is unknown but from the look of it in pictures, it was house-like and had windows upstairs. Likely had windows on the sides as well. You had to walk the steps up to enter. Very much like a house back the day you step up the front porch. It does look like a front porch in the photo. Then you enter to go skating
The newer one was a ranch style with 1950s to 1980s look. They added the curved wall on one end by the corner. The entrance was on the right side with gable canopy. First it did have that rustic look wood posts for the canopy then painted.
The Stats:
Rink Size: 40' x 80' (3,200 SF). Floor: Maple. Floor Layout: The skating area / dance floor was built with 48 springs situated under it to give it elasticity for skaters and dancers.
Building Size: 4,180 SF. Built: Original- 1921, Loop Net says 1924. Demolished: Original unknown but newer one still standing.
Type of Building: Free-Span wood Truss wood built house - like Building (both)
Roof: Gable.
Acres: 25,500 SF.
Operated: N/A.
Lake Arbutus Pavilion: June 1921 to N/A.
Thunderbird Roller Rink: Registered in June 9, 1978; opened in 1978 to May 5, 2005
Club Twilight Roller Rink: 2005 to January 2011 (due to a fire)
Lake Arbutus Pavilion: Memorial Day weekend 2012 to January 1, 2018.
Reason for Closure:
Lake Arbutus Pavilion: N/A.
Thunderbird Roller Rink: N/A.
Club Twilight Roller Rink: Fire in January 2011.
Lake Arbutus Pavilion: Owner ill, forced to close.
Wanted: Information regarding actual date of open, closed, why closed, size of rink, also photos of yesteryear.
Anyone has pictures and/or information please let me know at [email protected]. Thank you.
Sources: Facebook - Lake Arbutus Pavilion, US Gen Net- Clark County Press, Neillsville, Wisconsin
May 6, 2015 Page 9; LaCrosse Tribune 1- Fire, LaCrosse Tribune- Reopend as Lake Arbutus Pavilion,
LaCrosse Tribune - Rink finally opens Memorial weekend 2012. Loop Net, Bizapedia - Thunderbird Roller Rink,
Lake Arbutus Pavilion Website, Clarky County History website,
© 2019-2020 Copyrighted by Dead-Rinks. All Rights Reserved. God Matters. Jn 3:16.
Joe Hanus, the “Father of Hatfield,” opened the Lake Arbutus Pavilion in June 16, 1921. About 2,000 residents from several area communities attended the grand opening event. Perhaps quite a bit from the town Hatfield went skating that night. From what I saw in the photo, try to fit 2,000 skaters and patrons, that was way crowded. In 1938, he sold the pavilion to Joe and Violet Vieau.
It has a very long history and it goes back to 1927 according to the cornerstone at the former rink. The original appearance was very different. A house-like rink (See photo). It was used for community purposes both dancing and roller skating. Hence the name was Pavilion instead of "Roller Rink". It was a popular place to skate and other activities as well. Even family events in a town (modern day: 5000 people but in winter time, 50 people). Truly out in the country and the rink was the place for everyone to attend. Like a saloon in old Wild West movies everyone comes in or a restaurant. (Watch any TV shows and you will see everyone from town with that size or smaller would arrive. Makes sense. I know movies and shows are fakes but the idea is there).
As years goes on which I do not have information somehow it became Club Twilight Roller Rink which sounded like it was changed to meet children and teenagers to skate but after that mishap, they closed after the fire and rebuilt and reopened as Lake Arbutus Pavilion once again. The building is quite different.
The fire occurred during second week of January 2011 but by October 2011, they reopened again, for the last time. They closed for good according to Facebook in February 9, 2018 due to the owner's health. It is permanently closed according to Facebook.
Hope Laufenberg and her husband Jerome along with Hope’s brother Russ Shoemaker and his wife Lori purchased and restored the rink after Club Twilight Roller Rink suffered a 300,000 USD loss in damages.
It comes to an end for 90 years! One of longest running rinks. Unfortunately, they will not celebrate 100th anniversary of the rink because the rink ceased in 2018 for good.
Was this building the exact same building but heavily renovated the original rink seen in photo on top?
The rink usually opened during summers because of population went elsewhere due to this location as a summer camp town.
The Interior.
Small rink but the rink itself pretty much occupied most of the floor. It was Maple floor. The original building likely was Maple as well. The relocated had Maple as well. The 40' x 80' skating / dance floor was built with 48 springs situated under it to give it elasticity for skaters and dancers. Tables and chairs were set around the center area for spectators,. It was reversed! Tables and chairs inside the center and skate on the outside of eating area! Must be tough to skate or walk through the skating traffic. Dancing was bit easier to walk through. The floor was truly like a bed spring. I am sure as time went on and it was quite bouncy to skate.
4,180 Square Feet was the size for this tiny rink building. Yes, it looked a little extra-large house with bit of abstracts such as the curved walls, and all. The rink was small. Having said, 40' x 80' is more than half of standard NHL rink size. That is small! 3,200 Square Feet for the rink alone. That is about 3/4 of entire floor plan. Part of the rebooted rink had a 50s style diner. Nice! Too bad I never got a chance to eat there right on the rink. Please open back uppppp!
Now, the article in LaCrosse Tribune said the most recent owner, Hope, went skating at Thunderbird Roller Rink. Was that the same rink I am writing here about? Reason I said that because of the street name is none other than Thunderbird! I will add this if I get confirmation from her or any of you skaters who skated at this rink.
The Exterior.
Original location is unknown but from the look of it in pictures, it was house-like and had windows upstairs. Likely had windows on the sides as well. You had to walk the steps up to enter. Very much like a house back the day you step up the front porch. It does look like a front porch in the photo. Then you enter to go skating
The newer one was a ranch style with 1950s to 1980s look. They added the curved wall on one end by the corner. The entrance was on the right side with gable canopy. First it did have that rustic look wood posts for the canopy then painted.
The Stats:
Rink Size: 40' x 80' (3,200 SF). Floor: Maple. Floor Layout: The skating area / dance floor was built with 48 springs situated under it to give it elasticity for skaters and dancers.
Building Size: 4,180 SF. Built: Original- 1921, Loop Net says 1924. Demolished: Original unknown but newer one still standing.
Type of Building: Free-Span wood Truss wood built house - like Building (both)
Roof: Gable.
Acres: 25,500 SF.
Operated: N/A.
Lake Arbutus Pavilion: June 1921 to N/A.
Thunderbird Roller Rink: Registered in June 9, 1978; opened in 1978 to May 5, 2005
Club Twilight Roller Rink: 2005 to January 2011 (due to a fire)
Lake Arbutus Pavilion: Memorial Day weekend 2012 to January 1, 2018.
Reason for Closure:
Lake Arbutus Pavilion: N/A.
Thunderbird Roller Rink: N/A.
Club Twilight Roller Rink: Fire in January 2011.
Lake Arbutus Pavilion: Owner ill, forced to close.
Wanted: Information regarding actual date of open, closed, why closed, size of rink, also photos of yesteryear.
Anyone has pictures and/or information please let me know at [email protected]. Thank you.
Sources: Facebook - Lake Arbutus Pavilion, US Gen Net- Clark County Press, Neillsville, Wisconsin
May 6, 2015 Page 9; LaCrosse Tribune 1- Fire, LaCrosse Tribune- Reopend as Lake Arbutus Pavilion,
LaCrosse Tribune - Rink finally opens Memorial weekend 2012. Loop Net, Bizapedia - Thunderbird Roller Rink,
Lake Arbutus Pavilion Website, Clarky County History website,
© 2019-2020 Copyrighted by Dead-Rinks. All Rights Reserved. God Matters. Jn 3:16.