Courtesy of Rutherford in History. Artist's rendering of the new Mid-Century Modernism architecture for Mid State rink. The design was quite Mid-Century only when you look at the front because the Segmental Arch was a classic that went back to early 20th Century. It is a fake. Like slabbing a face to hide the actual architecture. The rear of the rink was the same way to hide that arch. This is proven correct when seen in person like Google Mapper saw. See next two photo.
Rutherford in History. Photo taken 1960. Slightly different than the artist's rendering. No bushes under the canopy, fewer steps than the drawing would have. The drawing had 4 steps, the old 1960 photo showed 2. Maybe 3. Hard to see. You noticed something? Even right down to the color, the Purina pet food logo! No offense, Skate Center West. It appeared to be like a Purina store to me. Sorry!
Google Map. Taken in 2018. Noticed the front retained the same as a landmark but it is a plaza with a few stores with their doors on the side including Audio
Courtesy of Wikipedia. Noticed now? Yes, that logo.
Courtesy of Rutherford in History. This is the comparison between the old and the new. I noticed the new building in the old photo showed the canopy only over the front door. They did expanded it again! Look carefully! I dont think anyone noticed!
Google Map. You can see the two rinks. The original was a lot smaller than the newer enlarged rink behind the original. I believe they own the entire property from that parking lot behind the old rink to the street on the right side of this photo snapshot I took. Yes, big grassy field. Good investment here I see. The name Audiomasters you see here was also founded by "Jack" Warren and operated that business in the old rink because usually skating rinks are not open till evenings and weekends and so during the day in the week, why not have another business. Some rink operators do that especially in past 50 to 60 years now because of rising cost of operating a rink. And beating the boredom during the day.
Courtesy of Daily News Journal. The huge flowers hung on the window. Apparently someone put it up there as it was because of the Late Jack Warren's wake or funeral and put up there. The design on the building looked tired after been there since its opening in 1977.
Skate Center West. That round thingy in the photo is the water tower way behind the rink.
Courtesy of Skate Center West. That is today. GORGEOUS photo! Good job! I love the sunsetting in this photo. And the lights were on. I like the balance of colors here giving the sunset colors warm with icy cold colors but much better than the tiring 1970s look. Yes, that NY Subway tiles look which is popular in early 2020. They painted the canopy and fake roof trim the Mansard look. That part was painted in Cold Light Gray. Perhaps 30 percent Gray. Is that blue forthe canopy? If so, that would be a nice combination to match to the wall they did. They ddi add the canopy replacing the fake Mansard. It does look a lot better but make the fonts more constracting than that gray. Please paint it in.. that Blue, more darker though. That way, it would be easier to read! They did put a new sign up though. Look carefully. You will notice. But I prefer different color or darker closer to black or heavy gray.
As Skate Center West. Beautiful floor, Doug! Great job! But my concern is the step down is pretty DEEP! I am concerned for safety of skaters. If tripped, can hurt skaters more that way than the half wall rails. Because with tripping, it will be harder impact and can injury the leg and second of all, any speeding but out of control skaters can crash and trip and can injure skaters. Please Doug, raise the floor and flatten it and built that wall around the rink! I am not going to skate there because of that huge step! Sorry Doug. Not mean to say this but...you know.
Mid State Roller Rink Lascassas Pike, Murfreesboro, TN (Original leasing)
Mid State Roller Rink 849 W College St, Murfreesboro, TN (Original building)
Skate Center of Murfreesboro 849 W College St, Murfreesboro, TN (New building)
Skate Center West 849 W College St, Murfreesboro, TN (Current Operating)
Mid State Roller Rink 849 W College St, Murfreesboro, TN (Original building)
Skate Center of Murfreesboro 849 W College St, Murfreesboro, TN (New building)
Skate Center West 849 W College St, Murfreesboro, TN (Current Operating)
Originally, it was Mid State Roller Rink that was in a large concrete building that both Warren and Smotherman leased on Lascassas Pike but immediately located at 849 West College Street, Murfreesboro, Tennessee that was founded by Norman D. "Jack" Warren and his brother in-law Edward Smotherman back in 1955. It was a family operated rink and apparently the children took over operations and renamed it Skate Center of Murfreesboro and now as Skate Center West.
The original building on Lascassas Pike was a dance hall for square dancing before it became a rink.
June 6, 1960, a new 9,000 square foot ‘modern’ facility was opened at 845 West College Street.
The original rink that both men owned was in the front with the Mid-Century modern design with the Purina logo style with a tall wall. No, that is not the monolith from Space 1999. Hahaha. They had this just only for 17 years from 1960 to new grand reopening in 1977 with a new larger facility behind it. They had to expand because of ever growing popularity of skating in the Seventies. So, they build a new modern looking building a slight ahead of its time with its look that looks like about 5 years ahead of time. They did renovated again in more recent times. The new facility was opened on
‘Jack’ Warren's partnership with ‘Smut’ Smotherman was dissolved in fall of 1965. So, Jack Warren owned this rink with his wife, Betty while Smut and his wife, Ruth owned the Mid State Roller Rink in Columbia, Tennessee that both men originally opened in 1963.
Both men, Jack Warren and "Smut" Smotherman partnership were dissolved in the fall of 1965 so from that point on, Jack and his wife, Betty went on to purchase Hot Wheels Arena that was once on 730 Old Tennessee Boulevard on July 1, 1983 which effectively changed the name of Mid State Roller Rink to Skate Center West and as for Hot Wheels Arena, into Skate Center South. I am sure also to separate further from his brother in law's Mid State Roller Rink in Columbia, Tennessee. The former Hot Wheels Arena - Skate Center South closed for good on September 1, 1984.
Jack's son, Doug Warren formed a corporation on January 1, 1987 to manage Skate Center West which he still operates today.
The Interior.
Maple floor, Polyurethane coated, non-color coat, with LOG Cabin format layout. I do not know what it was like before all the changes ever since 1955. Today, it does look like any other rinks with the colorful wall sections between truss posts which is very popular now. The current style is the one I love. Some dead rinks have that look but it is still on-going look. Very clean design. That would be Skate Center West. I feel comfortable with the decor. However, I am still not happy with so many rinks you have to step down onto the rink. I prefer flat floor like I went to all 18 rinks in my life so far (as of April 15, 2021.
The original likely wood floor, the building itself was merely 5,000 Square Feet! That was small compared to the new one that was more than twice the size.
The Exterior.
The styles-- First the leasing.. we do not know what that building was like but the 1960 version was quite clearly expianed in the photos above. It was very modern Mid-Century building with the Purina logo -style frontage and hides the fact the roof itself a segmental Arch. It was painted White (likely due to the B/W photo. The decor on front was perhaps of a different color. Maybe 1950s-60s color? I have no idea.
But the 1977 building was very simple in lines. There were a lot of lines. The fake Mansard roof with more roof trim. And the decorative cinderblocks that has ribs and groves on the blocks itself. It was common style somewhat in 1970s and early 1980s. That dark look made the facade look tiring. It was part of the Browning of America era although it was not brown. It was Gray blocks with Brown Mansard roof. It was two different color tones in fact. Could have brighten up back then. But with recent renovation, they have made it very 2020 look with the NY Subway Tiles covering the aging tiring Gray Cinderblocks. somewhat an improvement but still long way to go as I can see in the photo. It is brighten up. But still.
They did add the canopy in the renovation in recent times.
The Stats: Lascassas Pike Location--
Rink Size: N/A. Floor: Maple floor, non-color coat,. Floor Layout: N/A.
Building Size: N/A. Built: N/A. Demolished: N/A.
Type of Building: N/A.
Roof: N/A.
Acres: N/A.
The Stats: the West College Street Original 1960 building.
Rink Size: N/A. Floor: Maple floor, non-color coat,. Floor Layout: N/A.
Building Size: 9,000 SF. Built: 1960. Demolished: Still standing.
Type of Building: Free-Span Steel Truss Cinderblocks-Walled Storefront - like Building.
Roof: Segmental Arch.
Acres: N/A.
Architect: Burney Tucker
The Stats: West College Street 1977 New building.
Rink Size: N/A. Floor: Maple floor, Rink-Cote coated, non-color coat. Now Polyurethane. Floor Layout: LOG
Building Size: 14,000 SF. Built: N/A. Demolished: Still standing. Exterior renovated in late 2010s or 2020.
Type of Building: Free-Span Steel Truss Steel-Walled Warehouse - like Building.
Roof: Gable.
Acres: N/A.
Operated: (Overall)-- April 1, 1955 to Present.
Mid State Roller Rink on Lascassas Pike: April 1, 1955 to June 6, 1960.
Mid State Roller Rink on West College Street: June 6, 1960 to July 1, 1983.
Skate Center of Murfreesboro: July 1, 1983 to N/A.
Skate Center West: July 1, 1983 to Present.
Reason for Closure: N/A.
Mid State Roller Rink on Lascassas Pike: Needed new permanent home.
Mid State Roller Rink: Reorganized as Skate Center of Murfreesboro by relocating next door behind the original and need more room.
Skate Center of Murfreesboro: Still Operational as corporation.
Skate Center West: Still operational.
Wanted: Information regarding exact dates of open/closed, why closed, size of rink, rink materials. Also photos. Anyone knows or have photos, please let me know by emailing at [email protected]. Thank you.
Sources: Google Map; Obituary - Norman D. "Jack" Warren; Daily News Journal - Obituary article on "Jack" Warren - User file download version; Nashville for Fun - Skate Center West; Four Square - link says Skate Center of Murfreesboro BUT the link address says Skate Center West; Rutherford in History - article on things including the rink; Rutherford in History - History on Skatecenter of Murfreesboro; Facebook - Skate Center West;
Date of issue: 15 April 2021.
© Copyrighted by Dead-Rinks. All Rights Reserved. Jn 3:16.
The original building on Lascassas Pike was a dance hall for square dancing before it became a rink.
June 6, 1960, a new 9,000 square foot ‘modern’ facility was opened at 845 West College Street.
The original rink that both men owned was in the front with the Mid-Century modern design with the Purina logo style with a tall wall. No, that is not the monolith from Space 1999. Hahaha. They had this just only for 17 years from 1960 to new grand reopening in 1977 with a new larger facility behind it. They had to expand because of ever growing popularity of skating in the Seventies. So, they build a new modern looking building a slight ahead of its time with its look that looks like about 5 years ahead of time. They did renovated again in more recent times. The new facility was opened on
‘Jack’ Warren's partnership with ‘Smut’ Smotherman was dissolved in fall of 1965. So, Jack Warren owned this rink with his wife, Betty while Smut and his wife, Ruth owned the Mid State Roller Rink in Columbia, Tennessee that both men originally opened in 1963.
Both men, Jack Warren and "Smut" Smotherman partnership were dissolved in the fall of 1965 so from that point on, Jack and his wife, Betty went on to purchase Hot Wheels Arena that was once on 730 Old Tennessee Boulevard on July 1, 1983 which effectively changed the name of Mid State Roller Rink to Skate Center West and as for Hot Wheels Arena, into Skate Center South. I am sure also to separate further from his brother in law's Mid State Roller Rink in Columbia, Tennessee. The former Hot Wheels Arena - Skate Center South closed for good on September 1, 1984.
Jack's son, Doug Warren formed a corporation on January 1, 1987 to manage Skate Center West which he still operates today.
The Interior.
Maple floor, Polyurethane coated, non-color coat, with LOG Cabin format layout. I do not know what it was like before all the changes ever since 1955. Today, it does look like any other rinks with the colorful wall sections between truss posts which is very popular now. The current style is the one I love. Some dead rinks have that look but it is still on-going look. Very clean design. That would be Skate Center West. I feel comfortable with the decor. However, I am still not happy with so many rinks you have to step down onto the rink. I prefer flat floor like I went to all 18 rinks in my life so far (as of April 15, 2021.
The original likely wood floor, the building itself was merely 5,000 Square Feet! That was small compared to the new one that was more than twice the size.
The Exterior.
The styles-- First the leasing.. we do not know what that building was like but the 1960 version was quite clearly expianed in the photos above. It was very modern Mid-Century building with the Purina logo -style frontage and hides the fact the roof itself a segmental Arch. It was painted White (likely due to the B/W photo. The decor on front was perhaps of a different color. Maybe 1950s-60s color? I have no idea.
But the 1977 building was very simple in lines. There were a lot of lines. The fake Mansard roof with more roof trim. And the decorative cinderblocks that has ribs and groves on the blocks itself. It was common style somewhat in 1970s and early 1980s. That dark look made the facade look tiring. It was part of the Browning of America era although it was not brown. It was Gray blocks with Brown Mansard roof. It was two different color tones in fact. Could have brighten up back then. But with recent renovation, they have made it very 2020 look with the NY Subway Tiles covering the aging tiring Gray Cinderblocks. somewhat an improvement but still long way to go as I can see in the photo. It is brighten up. But still.
They did add the canopy in the renovation in recent times.
The Stats: Lascassas Pike Location--
Rink Size: N/A. Floor: Maple floor, non-color coat,. Floor Layout: N/A.
Building Size: N/A. Built: N/A. Demolished: N/A.
Type of Building: N/A.
Roof: N/A.
Acres: N/A.
The Stats: the West College Street Original 1960 building.
Rink Size: N/A. Floor: Maple floor, non-color coat,. Floor Layout: N/A.
Building Size: 9,000 SF. Built: 1960. Demolished: Still standing.
Type of Building: Free-Span Steel Truss Cinderblocks-Walled Storefront - like Building.
Roof: Segmental Arch.
Acres: N/A.
Architect: Burney Tucker
The Stats: West College Street 1977 New building.
Rink Size: N/A. Floor: Maple floor, Rink-Cote coated, non-color coat. Now Polyurethane. Floor Layout: LOG
Building Size: 14,000 SF. Built: N/A. Demolished: Still standing. Exterior renovated in late 2010s or 2020.
Type of Building: Free-Span Steel Truss Steel-Walled Warehouse - like Building.
Roof: Gable.
Acres: N/A.
Operated: (Overall)-- April 1, 1955 to Present.
Mid State Roller Rink on Lascassas Pike: April 1, 1955 to June 6, 1960.
Mid State Roller Rink on West College Street: June 6, 1960 to July 1, 1983.
Skate Center of Murfreesboro: July 1, 1983 to N/A.
Skate Center West: July 1, 1983 to Present.
Reason for Closure: N/A.
Mid State Roller Rink on Lascassas Pike: Needed new permanent home.
Mid State Roller Rink: Reorganized as Skate Center of Murfreesboro by relocating next door behind the original and need more room.
Skate Center of Murfreesboro: Still Operational as corporation.
Skate Center West: Still operational.
Wanted: Information regarding exact dates of open/closed, why closed, size of rink, rink materials. Also photos. Anyone knows or have photos, please let me know by emailing at [email protected]. Thank you.
Sources: Google Map; Obituary - Norman D. "Jack" Warren; Daily News Journal - Obituary article on "Jack" Warren - User file download version; Nashville for Fun - Skate Center West; Four Square - link says Skate Center of Murfreesboro BUT the link address says Skate Center West; Rutherford in History - article on things including the rink; Rutherford in History - History on Skatecenter of Murfreesboro; Facebook - Skate Center West;
Date of issue: 15 April 2021.
© Copyrighted by Dead-Rinks. All Rights Reserved. Jn 3:16.