Noticed very similar layout with some differences. Yes, Summit location was slightly smaller because of less storage spaces in the rear than the Natchez location. But also the rink was actually smaller than Summit. Look at the size in the basic blueprint in the booklet. The Natchez had second floor which makes the place size appear bigger. But pretty much the same. Some tricks, I know. The parking lot layout was quite different though between those two.
All courtesy of the Guzzardo Family. Booklets are not available for purchase. Sorry. I included the other Skate City in Natchez and will be showcased in that profile too. Both are same owner. I showed both for you to compare.
I noticed Skate City logo in the promotional flyers and ads was the exact the same as Sports-O-Rama! I am referring to the skate with very sharp narrow toe part of the shoe.
I noticed Skate City logo in the promotional flyers and ads was the exact the same as Sports-O-Rama! I am referring to the skate with very sharp narrow toe part of the shoe.
Skate City 5149 Hwy. 98 W., Summit, MS
Skate City was one of many rinks with same name but this one was owned by the Guzzardo Family along with the other Skate City in Natchez, Mississippi. This Skate City was on 5149 Highway 98 W. Summit, Mississippi was opened around 1978 according to one of the family members who send me an email with photos. He said that it was just brand new when it burned down in 1981 and had it rebuilt and slowly they added bingo in 1990 just for weekly bingo during the week as skating on weekends. However, it was sold and became Skate City Bingo then eventually they changed name to Summit Bingo. It turned to full time bingo in 1992.
The Interior.
Truly beautiful interior! The photos may not be in great view because of the flash but you can see them pretty good. The rink floor was Sky Blue Concrete with a poly finish on it. It had 2 starburst flights as it said in description above. It is different style of starburst than you saw common in most rinks of the 1970s and 1980s were. Those starbursts were truly straight lines out but this one here shown at Skate City is unique. Look more like a flower style starburst. Of course, two of them! It was set up that way.
You can see the ceiling shaped that way after you saw the photos above to match the shape with the trusses you saw outside for the canopy for cars to drive under. It would fit 2 cars there so that parents can drop off children.
It had very colorful carpet before the days of black-light carpeting!
They had 22 arcade coin-operated games.
The Exterior.
It was a very unique design. Truly Googie Architecture of 1950s-60s in this rebuilt in 1981! One of the last original Googie Architecture, not like the 21st Century Post or Neo- Googie or Googie Revivalism of 2010s-2020s. This is truly Googie because of the structure of the steel trusses and posts you can see up front. Actually a late Googie's style in the 20th Century. If you will observe the truss style it belonged in that category. But the roof was not like a butterfly or Zigzag. But just plain Gable yet, the exposure of the Truss on the outside is screaming Googie's. You can spot that esaily with the Trusses shape inside the building but covered with White ceiling panels covering the outline of the Trusses. Still, Googie's.
A true Googie's Rink? I would have to say a rink in Los Angeles because Googie's was born in Los Angeles thanks to Googie's Restaurant (demolished), which gave many establishments that Googie's look and established itself a name. Funny, Architects I spoke with do not even know what a Googie's is! And they have college degrees and I do not? Which is more true educated? You decide. But I know my answer and its the street wise (hands-on) is more educated than the arm chaired education (college).
Well, this rink is a prototypical Googie's actually because only showed the trusses that is the style. When I get to do rink profiles from California, I will mentioned that rink that is a Googie. I think it is a Skateland I am not sure. In Los Angeles.
Well, it remains that appearance today as a Bingo but the sign itself has aged greatly and has damages to it that they need to fix it. A health hazard because it could fall and hurt someone. Check out Google Map in more recent years of the photos.
The Stats:
Rink Size: 16,075 SF. Floor: Sky Blue Poly coated Concrete. Floor Layout: Standard.
Building Size: 21,250 SF. Built: Originally 1978, rebuilt 1981.
Demolished: Original 1981 by fire, rebuilt still standing, now as Bingo.
Type of Building: Free-Span Steel Truss Steel-Walled Warehouse - like Building.
Roof: Gable.
Acres: N/A.
Operated: (Overall)-- 1978 to 1981, 1981 to 1990.
Reason for Closure: N/A.
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: R. G. in email;
Date of issue: 26 April 2021.
© Copyrighted by Dead-Rinks. All Rights Reserved. Jn 3:16.
The Interior.
Truly beautiful interior! The photos may not be in great view because of the flash but you can see them pretty good. The rink floor was Sky Blue Concrete with a poly finish on it. It had 2 starburst flights as it said in description above. It is different style of starburst than you saw common in most rinks of the 1970s and 1980s were. Those starbursts were truly straight lines out but this one here shown at Skate City is unique. Look more like a flower style starburst. Of course, two of them! It was set up that way.
You can see the ceiling shaped that way after you saw the photos above to match the shape with the trusses you saw outside for the canopy for cars to drive under. It would fit 2 cars there so that parents can drop off children.
It had very colorful carpet before the days of black-light carpeting!
They had 22 arcade coin-operated games.
The Exterior.
It was a very unique design. Truly Googie Architecture of 1950s-60s in this rebuilt in 1981! One of the last original Googie Architecture, not like the 21st Century Post or Neo- Googie or Googie Revivalism of 2010s-2020s. This is truly Googie because of the structure of the steel trusses and posts you can see up front. Actually a late Googie's style in the 20th Century. If you will observe the truss style it belonged in that category. But the roof was not like a butterfly or Zigzag. But just plain Gable yet, the exposure of the Truss on the outside is screaming Googie's. You can spot that esaily with the Trusses shape inside the building but covered with White ceiling panels covering the outline of the Trusses. Still, Googie's.
A true Googie's Rink? I would have to say a rink in Los Angeles because Googie's was born in Los Angeles thanks to Googie's Restaurant (demolished), which gave many establishments that Googie's look and established itself a name. Funny, Architects I spoke with do not even know what a Googie's is! And they have college degrees and I do not? Which is more true educated? You decide. But I know my answer and its the street wise (hands-on) is more educated than the arm chaired education (college).
Well, this rink is a prototypical Googie's actually because only showed the trusses that is the style. When I get to do rink profiles from California, I will mentioned that rink that is a Googie. I think it is a Skateland I am not sure. In Los Angeles.
Well, it remains that appearance today as a Bingo but the sign itself has aged greatly and has damages to it that they need to fix it. A health hazard because it could fall and hurt someone. Check out Google Map in more recent years of the photos.
The Stats:
Rink Size: 16,075 SF. Floor: Sky Blue Poly coated Concrete. Floor Layout: Standard.
Building Size: 21,250 SF. Built: Originally 1978, rebuilt 1981.
Demolished: Original 1981 by fire, rebuilt still standing, now as Bingo.
Type of Building: Free-Span Steel Truss Steel-Walled Warehouse - like Building.
Roof: Gable.
Acres: N/A.
Operated: (Overall)-- 1978 to 1981, 1981 to 1990.
Reason for Closure: N/A.
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: R. G. in email;
Date of issue: 26 April 2021.
© Copyrighted by Dead-Rinks. All Rights Reserved. Jn 3:16.