Northridge Skateland 18140 Parthenia Street, Northridge, CA. Three generations of the newest logo. The everchanging logo throughout decades. The most recent was their anniversary in 2008. Although they used the logo from the top after the anniversary was over in 2008. The 2014 relaunching logo was to celebrate their reopening after few months of floor and interior renovations and perhaps exterior as well. The circle I can see represents the wheel of a skate. But the center with the diamond.. Not sure why. Was it supposed to be a compus because Northridge is sort of a name of a direction or location. Made sense. Source: Northridge Skateland/The Fleming Family Collection/Dave Fleming.
Series of exterior photos showing the rink building throughout the decades.
Northridge Valley Skateland 18140 Parthenia Street, Northridge, CA. This was taken in 1957 when they were breaking grounds for the new rink at the time. It was then called Northridge Valley Skateland. Yes, you are seeing that 1958 (ish) Ford Thunderbird. Source: Northridge Skateland/The Fleming Family Collection/Dave Fleming. Photo Copyrighted Digitally Remastered by Dead-Rinks (sharper, color balance)
Northridge Valley Skateland 18140 Parthenia Street, Northridge, CA. This was taken in 1968. It was then called Northridge Valley Skateland. Yes, you are seeing that beautiful Ford Thunderbird. Source: Northridge Skateland/The Fleming Family Collection/Dave Fleming.
Northridge Skateland 18140 Parthenia Street, Northridge, CA. Photo taken in 1975. Cool art work of the couple and colors! Peace! This was the original appearance before expansion where that station wagon was. Sorry, no, that was not Clark Griswold's Truckster. You can tell where the doors were and the roof was. It showed it was Segmental Arch. More colorful than the 1960s appearance as you can see above. Source: Northridge Skateland/The Fleming Family Collection/Dave Fleming.
Northridge Skateland 18140 Parthenia Street, Northridge, CA. This photo was shown from the internet search. It was taken from a video apparently because of the quality of the tape. It did update its look with the new roofline which hides that Segmental Arch roof. The font used for the name on the wall is very 1970s flair look. You can tell with the letter K and the italic appearance. It was Red, White, and Blue colors there. It was taken in early 1980s because of the pickup truck, and the silver car seen behind where the truck's bed, and the 70s customized van that was popular at the time. And the 1980s automobile parked as seen in the left of the photo with the headlights that had curved glass, not a halogen. You can see it was expanded to the right in the photo. I was correct this was 1980s because Dave Fleming said this photo was part of a TV show called Perfect Strangers which was set in "Chicago" as you can see on the sign. Filmed in 1980. Source: Northridge Skateland/The Fleming Family Collection/Dave Fleming.
Northridge Skateland 18140 Parthenia Street, Northridge, CA. This is taken in 2007. This apparently was in 2000s with the new logo as you can see on both the sign and the wall where the name was. More futuristic appearance with the logo. Both pictures-- this one and above were showing addition was built. That was the flat roof section. And yes, the front door was moved. as well. And the sign for first time added digital advertising on it. Source: Google.
Northridge Skateland 18140 Parthenia Street, Northridge, CA. Once again, a new change. Gone are the reds. Red was replaced with Royal Blue. The logo gave a retro feel of style. Gone from the Futuristic into the past or retro past future. Whatever you want to call it. They changed to blue because of the trends in 2000s and 2010s with Blue hues. (Now in 2020s, its graying of America which is exactly they did inside of the building in 2014, a couple of years ahead of time). Source: Northridge Skateland/The Fleming Family Collection/Dave Fleming.
Northridge Skateland 18140 Parthenia Street, Northridge, CA. From the look, it appeared to be late 1960s. The lady behind the counter was in fact, Lorraine, one of the family members who owned the rink. Source: Northridge Skateland/The Fleming Family Collection/Dave Fleming.
Northridge Valley Skateland 18140 Parthenia Street, Northridge, CA. Photo taken in 1960s. See how high those Steel Pipe rails? And anyone can slip through under it! This is why rinks had their walls built with Cinderblocks. Safer and better. Just need one more step.. pads on the wall just like your old high school had. The floor at the time was Log cabin built. Can you see it? I noticed some girls dress similar clothes on. This was a Girl Scout skating class. The coach in the white sweater was Dave Serpa (see toward right side of photo). Uh oh, noticed no diamond ball/mirrored ball? Nope. No disco lights either. Taken in late 1960s. Source: Northridge Skateland/The Fleming Family Collection/Dave Fleming.
Northridge Skateland 18140 Parthenia Street, Northridge, CA. Photo taken in 1970s because it is the same couple you see on the exterior photo. See how high those Steel Pipe rails? And anyone can slip through under it! This is why rinks had their walls built with Cinderblocks. Safer and better. Just need one more step.. pads on the wall just like your old high school had. The floor at the time was Log cabin built. Can you see it? I noticed some girls dress similar clothes on. This was a Girl Scout skating class. The coach in the white sweater was Dave Serpa (see toward right side of photo). Uh oh, noticed no diamond ball/mirrored ball? Nope. No disco lights either. Source: Northridge Skateland/The Fleming Family Collection/Dave Fleming.
Northridge Skateland 18140 Parthenia Street, Northridge, CA. Taken in late 1960s. Wow, a lot of wall/window mount air-conditioning units. Los Angeles Metro can get hot summers. Skating.. it will make you feel hotter so that is why. Source: Northridge Skateland/The Fleming Family Collection/Dave Fleming.
Northridge Skateland 18140 Parthenia Street, Northridge, CA. Photo taken in 1960s. Very clean design. Minimalist feel. Looks like it was taken during Spring or early summer because of the advertisement seen on the wall. Source: Northridge Skateland/The Fleming Family Collection/Dave Fleming.
Northridge Skateland 18140 Parthenia Street, Northridge, CA. One of the most beautiful mural and logo I ever seen. Its a shame it is gone. I love the design. One of the final photograph. Beautiful floor to be gone. I love the floor, alot. It does look like bleechy but it was all natural Maple wood floor. Love it that it was "white-ish". Dave Fleming mentioned it was all natural, no coating of any kind. Source: Northridge Skateland/The Fleming Family Collection.
Northridge Skateland 18140 Parthenia Street, Northridge, CA. One of the most beautiful mural and logo I ever seen on the background. Its a shame it is gone. I love the design. Those awesome disco lights on the wall, not floor, wall! Reminds you of Studio 57, right? Yes, that similar type of floor that made John Travolta danced on that propelled him to fame in 1977. Source: Northridge Skateland/The Fleming Family Collection.
Northridge Skateland 18140 Parthenia Street, Northridge, CA. One of the most beautiful mural and logo I ever seen. Its a shame it is gone. I love the design. Source: Northridge Skateland/The Fleming Family Collection.
Northridge Skateland 18140 Parthenia Street, Northridge, CA. They have one of the best lighting system I ever seen. Beautiful! And yes, beautiful photograph tricks. And the wall.. Beautiful! That is too bad for me because I never got to see this in person! Oh well! Source: Northridge Skateland/The Fleming Family Collection.
Northridge Skateland 18140 Parthenia Street, Northridge, CA. Beautiful upgrades! Was the floor actually Bleached White? Looks like it but it was not. It was all bare (Dave Fleming). Trendy color for wood today. Source: Yelp.
Northridge Skateland 18140 Parthenia Street, Northridge, CA. OH my goodness! True night club feel here! Finally skating rinks have reached the night club era and away from Disco look since 1970s. This time, darkness, has lights on the half-walls, and turn dark on the floor as well. Having said about the lights, you cannot have glass floor with lights for roller floor is because you are dealing with skates that can damage and scratch glass. Only leave that kind of glass floor to discotheque dance centers like you seen John Travolta wore his white polyester suit dancing the night away on a glass floor. That happened to be Studio 57 in NY City (defunct). Source: Northridge Skateland/The Fleming Family Collection.
Some more interesting photos for you to see!
Many of you did not know this. Bob Eubanks who was well known as TV game show host with The Newlywed Game. Bob was an accomplished skater and instructor during 1950s before he went on television to host game shows for many decades. He is pictured on the left in 1950s. Game show around 1960s. Bob was paired with Avia Cook. Source: Left- USARSA. Above - Purple Clover.
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Northridge Skateland 18140 Parthenia Street, Northridge, CA. Taken around the same time as the snack bar with Lorraine behind the counter. Source: Northridge Skateland/The Fleming Family Collection.
Northridge Skateland 18140 Parthenia Street, Northridge, CA. This should immediately show you who the two celebrities were at Northridge Skateland in around 1975. Funny man/MDA Spokesperson Jerry Lewis stopped skating for a minute to talk with MDA Co-Host/Actor Raymon Lee Cramton, stage known as Chad Everett. It is known fact that Roller Skating Rink Operators Association was the largest contributor to MDA Telethon. Also those two gentlemen were co-hosts of the famed annual Labor Day weekend telethons. Source: Northridge Skateland/The Fleming Family Collection.
Northridge Skateland 18140 Parthenia Street, Northridge, CA. Celebrities would come to the rink often to skate or to be filmed there. In this case, it was late night TV host Jimmy Kimmel and Olympic Speed Skater Gold Medalist Apolo Ohno. The back wall behind the celebrities were tiles reminded me of my high school. We had exactly the same color walls. Source: Northridge Skateland/The Fleming Family Collection. Note: Photo altered to remove T-shirt wording and replaced with Dead-Rinks.
Northridge Skateland 18140 Parthenia Street, Northridge, CA. Showing was Appel, the daughter of Dave Fleming. Source: YouTube/Appelusa.
Northridge Valley Skateland 18140 Parthenia St, Northridge, CA
Skateland 18140 Parthenia Street, Northridge, CA
Northridge Skateland 18140 Parthenia Street, Northridge, CA
Trebek Center 18140 Parthenia Street, Northridge, CA (New, non-rink)
Skateland 18140 Parthenia Street, Northridge, CA
Northridge Skateland 18140 Parthenia Street, Northridge, CA
Trebek Center 18140 Parthenia Street, Northridge, CA (New, non-rink)
Wheels have stopped rolling in January 2021 with the announcement of building been sold in late 2020 due to COVID-19 and slowed admission due to lockdowns, The Northridge Skateland has closed for good. The Fleming Family -- Richard and Lorraine Fleming operated this rink since 1968. It must have been operational longer before the Fleming so I do not know the name of this rink prior to 1968. Anyone know, please let me know.
It is said to be operational for more than 50 years and I know my age (I am 56 in February 2021) which means the rink was opened before 1968 for sure.
Roy and Stan Bannister began the rink as Skateland on January 30, 1958. The Fleming Family -- Richard and Lorraine Fleming operated this rink since 1968.
David and Michael Fleming, the sons of Richard and Lorraine Fleming operated the rink as Northridge Skateland.
Sadly, it will become a shelter. Many residents in the neighborhood were very upset with this because this was unexpected and blaming on COVID lockdowns which was unnecessary.
UPDATE--
Announced on March 22, 2021, that it will become Trebek Center, properly named to honor the Late Alex Trebek, long time Host of Jeopardy! TV game program. To be operated by Hope of the Valley, a faith-based independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization to assist homeless people transit into independent living.
This rink was one of few rinks chosen by Hollywood film studios including motion pictures and television as well as print ads and other means of media. Here are impressive list of films they were credited for--
Feature Film Credit: Promises in the Dark, Enemies of Laughter, Saturday at the Starlight
Television Credit: Return of the Mod Squad, Candid Camera, Six Million Dollar Man, Perfect Strangers (See photo above that was taken in 1980s), Blind Date, Parental Control, MTV for Jay Z, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Wild World of Spike, The Office, Parks and Recreation
Music Video Credit: Group: N.E.R.D., Song: Maybe
Commercials: Kodak, McDonald’s, Burger King (although they used ICE rink) (2006), Barbie My Scene (2006)
Print Credit: Danny Pintauro, Brian Austin Green, PEOPLE Magazine featuring Mike Epps (June 2016)
Other Credit: Location for the skate-off promoting Universal Pictures film Roll Bounce starring Bow Wow.
Very impressive! No, folks, this was not the rink where CHiPs filmed the real CHPs annual fundraising event. That would be at a different rink.
USA Today lists Northridge Skateland as one of the 10 Best Roller Skating Centers in America! And, they won the Daily News 2017 Best Of contest too! Skateland is a popular hangout for San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, Simi Valley, Santa Clarita Valley, Conejo Valley and surrounding community residents and visitors.
Unfortunately, this landmark ended in 2021.
UPDATE! -- 19 April 2022.
I received a good lengthy email from the owner of this rink, Dave Fleming as many of the Northridge Skateland skaters would recall him. This is what he has to say.
Hi Mark,
Hopefully, I can add some clarification to the information you've provided. Great job, incidentally, providing a lot of accurate info!
The granddaughter you mentioned in your email is my daughter, Appel (see YouTube). She skated throughout her life, and even made it on to the World Team in 2002! She's skated in many commercials, events and music videos. Fun fact: Her pairs partner when she was young was Albert Hammond Jr. from the Strokes! See the link on his name.
I'm going thru your post and will make some comments below as I scroll down.
The photo you posted of the rink in the early 80's that was from a video was shot of Skateland during an episode of the TV series Perfect Strangers. That's why it mentions Chicago.
You are correct regarding the color changes we made throughout the decades. It kept us current and was essential being in the City of Los Angeles and continue to draw clientele from the west side.
Photo of the woman in the snack bar in the 1960s was my mom, Lorraine.
The steel pipe rails photo was taken in the late 1960s during a [G]irl [S]cout skating class. The coach in the white sweater was Dave Serpa.
The Skateland mural was created by one of ex-employees who went on to work in Hollywood editing movie trailers. He is very creative. After we closed, we wanted the sign to live on in another rink and it is currently at the Skateland in Bakersfield, CA. (Yay! I love that sign, Dave! Glad it lives!) The floor was replaced in 2014 by Pacific Floor Company in Chatsworth. They install and maintain the [Los Angles] Lakers (basketball) court and many colleges. The floor was not bleached. Unlike most of the rinks in the country, we chose not to use any coating and just skate on bare wood. The skaters loved it, especially those who remember skating on bare wood until the early 70s. We found the coating creates a resonance you can feel when you skate. Bare wood does not. It is harder to maintain, but provides the best surface to skate on. (Wow, interesting to know. This would be great information for new prospect rink operators to know this).
All our lighting and sound was done by Rutherford Design. Richard Rutherford has a rich history in the skating, nightclub and worship industries. He is the one who figured out how to create the lighting effects in the dasher board walls around the skating floor. (No wonder they are so beautiful in those photos. Really top notch, Dave!)
As you stated, the rink was built by Roy and Stan Bannister and opened in 1958. They named the rink, Northridge Valley Skateland. The Bannisters also opened a chain of teen night clubs, called Cinnamon Cinder along with The Newlywed Game Host Bob Eubanks. Most people don't know that (Bob Eubanks) was a competitive roller skater back in the late 1950s and taught skating at Skateland. Another fun fact: Bob is the one who arranged for the Beatles to come to Los Angeles. When they arrived, they held their press conference at one of the Cinnamon Cinder locations. When the Bannisters decided to sell Skateland in late 1967, they ran a two column ad for one day in the LA Times. Out of a dozen interested, the landowner chose my father to take over the rink.
Attached are a few more photos.
The one with Jerry Lewis and Chad Everett was taken about 1975. At the time, the RSROA was the single largest contributor to MDA so he came to our rink a few times to film him skating for the annual telethon.
Jimmy Kimmel did a segment at Skateland in 2006 with Apolo Ohno.
Photo given to us by Roy Bannister's daughter when Skateland was first under construction in 1957
Please let me know if you need more info.
Thanks again for what you do for the roller skating community!
Dave
The Interior.
I do not know what the original interior were like before 2014 renovations that they lay a new fresh clear coated Maple floor with sanded look. What attracted me to this beautiful rink is everything including that Maple floor. They had beautiful lighted half-walls that is cinderblocks on the off-rink side while on the rink side, 2 toned lights. One is Pink Red and the other Sky Blue. And have black lettering on the building wall with the name, SKATELAND in italic and shines Sky Blue around the letters. Black walls of course. This appearance would not remind anyone of a rink from the 1970s or 1980s at all. Truly updated very well thoroughly. The mural was painted by a very creative professional artist who works in Hollywood industry.
It gave that night club feel interior when they did the remodel in 2014 along with the floor because Maple last about 50 years and it was almost time for a new floor. That original floor was 46 years old.
The Exterior.
The original appearance was so groovy that I love that appearance. No rink had that graphic design on the outside. It did included popular 1960s colors with two toned Olive Greens and Oranges stripes with a vertical oval with two skaters in their appearance from the 1960s/70s look. The bell bottom pants especially the gentleman wearing a plaid pants which was popular in early 1970s, the mullet-like hair, large long sideburns that man had, and she had that in-the-middle comb of her hair (glad it was not a honeybee hairdo! Haha) and straight wavy blond hair. That appearance was so true to the early 1970s look. That photograph was taken in 1975 so it made sense it was during first half of that decade. Peace! Haha.
Then they had renovations on the outside expanding the rink where the front door was and that wall and expanded wider. Gone was those stripes of paints and cute couple. They reminded me of Kim and Roberto but more adult realistic figures. Yes, Kim and Roberto were very popular cartoon characters based on the real life Kim and Roberto that they drew for "Love is..." series.
The later renovations I do not know what happened. Then next one for sure was Red and White theme. They had Modernism font for Northridge Skateland as seen on there but then just Skateland. Then they painted over Red with Royal Blue which carried through till the end of the rink. Same with the sign. Red letterings and White background but then Royal Blue letterings and White background. It is just trendy. I am sure the Red look was made for 2000s. After 1975 which was very 1970s look, I am sure in 1980s and 1990s they had different looks. Anyone have pictures?
The 1958 look I am not sure either.
The Stats:
Rink Size: 12,000 SF. Floor: Bare (natural) Maple. Floor Layout: LOG
Building Size: 1958: 18,000 SF. Added 5,000 SF onto the west side to expand food, games and seating. Final: 23,000 SF.
Built: 1958. Expanded: N/A. Demolished: Still standing.
Type of Building: Free-Span Wood Truss Cinderblocks-Walled Storefront - like Building.
Roof: Segmental Arch. The expansion had Flat roof added.
Acres: 1.2100 AC.
Operated: (Overall)-- January 30, 1958 to December 2020.
January 30, 1958 to December 2020.
Reason for Closure: Affected by COVID-19 lockdown, forcing to sell.
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:
Yelp - Reported closed.
Skateland - Website
Skateland - downloaded
KCRW - announcing closing
Patch - Announcing the new Trebek Center
YouTube - Announcing the closure of the rink.
The Trebek Center "Hopeland"
If you want to make a donation, please donate to the The Trebek Center "Hopeland" (please click link above) or your hometown homeless shelter such as Salvation Army, Rescue Mission (please support your local RM. And shop at their Thrifty Shopper stores), etc. God truly bless you on your donation.
Date of issue: 10 February 2021.
Updated: 24 March 2021.
Updated: 14 April 2022.
Updated: 20 April 2022.
For office only: 25/1.
© Copyrighted by Dead-Rinks. All Rights Reserved. Jn 3:16.
It is said to be operational for more than 50 years and I know my age (I am 56 in February 2021) which means the rink was opened before 1968 for sure.
Roy and Stan Bannister began the rink as Skateland on January 30, 1958. The Fleming Family -- Richard and Lorraine Fleming operated this rink since 1968.
David and Michael Fleming, the sons of Richard and Lorraine Fleming operated the rink as Northridge Skateland.
Sadly, it will become a shelter. Many residents in the neighborhood were very upset with this because this was unexpected and blaming on COVID lockdowns which was unnecessary.
UPDATE--
Announced on March 22, 2021, that it will become Trebek Center, properly named to honor the Late Alex Trebek, long time Host of Jeopardy! TV game program. To be operated by Hope of the Valley, a faith-based independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization to assist homeless people transit into independent living.
This rink was one of few rinks chosen by Hollywood film studios including motion pictures and television as well as print ads and other means of media. Here are impressive list of films they were credited for--
Feature Film Credit: Promises in the Dark, Enemies of Laughter, Saturday at the Starlight
Television Credit: Return of the Mod Squad, Candid Camera, Six Million Dollar Man, Perfect Strangers (See photo above that was taken in 1980s), Blind Date, Parental Control, MTV for Jay Z, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Wild World of Spike, The Office, Parks and Recreation
Music Video Credit: Group: N.E.R.D., Song: Maybe
Commercials: Kodak, McDonald’s, Burger King (although they used ICE rink) (2006), Barbie My Scene (2006)
Print Credit: Danny Pintauro, Brian Austin Green, PEOPLE Magazine featuring Mike Epps (June 2016)
Other Credit: Location for the skate-off promoting Universal Pictures film Roll Bounce starring Bow Wow.
Very impressive! No, folks, this was not the rink where CHiPs filmed the real CHPs annual fundraising event. That would be at a different rink.
USA Today lists Northridge Skateland as one of the 10 Best Roller Skating Centers in America! And, they won the Daily News 2017 Best Of contest too! Skateland is a popular hangout for San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, Simi Valley, Santa Clarita Valley, Conejo Valley and surrounding community residents and visitors.
Unfortunately, this landmark ended in 2021.
UPDATE! -- 19 April 2022.
I received a good lengthy email from the owner of this rink, Dave Fleming as many of the Northridge Skateland skaters would recall him. This is what he has to say.
Hi Mark,
Hopefully, I can add some clarification to the information you've provided. Great job, incidentally, providing a lot of accurate info!
The granddaughter you mentioned in your email is my daughter, Appel (see YouTube). She skated throughout her life, and even made it on to the World Team in 2002! She's skated in many commercials, events and music videos. Fun fact: Her pairs partner when she was young was Albert Hammond Jr. from the Strokes! See the link on his name.
I'm going thru your post and will make some comments below as I scroll down.
The photo you posted of the rink in the early 80's that was from a video was shot of Skateland during an episode of the TV series Perfect Strangers. That's why it mentions Chicago.
You are correct regarding the color changes we made throughout the decades. It kept us current and was essential being in the City of Los Angeles and continue to draw clientele from the west side.
Photo of the woman in the snack bar in the 1960s was my mom, Lorraine.
The steel pipe rails photo was taken in the late 1960s during a [G]irl [S]cout skating class. The coach in the white sweater was Dave Serpa.
The Skateland mural was created by one of ex-employees who went on to work in Hollywood editing movie trailers. He is very creative. After we closed, we wanted the sign to live on in another rink and it is currently at the Skateland in Bakersfield, CA. (Yay! I love that sign, Dave! Glad it lives!) The floor was replaced in 2014 by Pacific Floor Company in Chatsworth. They install and maintain the [Los Angles] Lakers (basketball) court and many colleges. The floor was not bleached. Unlike most of the rinks in the country, we chose not to use any coating and just skate on bare wood. The skaters loved it, especially those who remember skating on bare wood until the early 70s. We found the coating creates a resonance you can feel when you skate. Bare wood does not. It is harder to maintain, but provides the best surface to skate on. (Wow, interesting to know. This would be great information for new prospect rink operators to know this).
All our lighting and sound was done by Rutherford Design. Richard Rutherford has a rich history in the skating, nightclub and worship industries. He is the one who figured out how to create the lighting effects in the dasher board walls around the skating floor. (No wonder they are so beautiful in those photos. Really top notch, Dave!)
As you stated, the rink was built by Roy and Stan Bannister and opened in 1958. They named the rink, Northridge Valley Skateland. The Bannisters also opened a chain of teen night clubs, called Cinnamon Cinder along with The Newlywed Game Host Bob Eubanks. Most people don't know that (Bob Eubanks) was a competitive roller skater back in the late 1950s and taught skating at Skateland. Another fun fact: Bob is the one who arranged for the Beatles to come to Los Angeles. When they arrived, they held their press conference at one of the Cinnamon Cinder locations. When the Bannisters decided to sell Skateland in late 1967, they ran a two column ad for one day in the LA Times. Out of a dozen interested, the landowner chose my father to take over the rink.
Attached are a few more photos.
The one with Jerry Lewis and Chad Everett was taken about 1975. At the time, the RSROA was the single largest contributor to MDA so he came to our rink a few times to film him skating for the annual telethon.
Jimmy Kimmel did a segment at Skateland in 2006 with Apolo Ohno.
Photo given to us by Roy Bannister's daughter when Skateland was first under construction in 1957
Please let me know if you need more info.
Thanks again for what you do for the roller skating community!
Dave
The Interior.
I do not know what the original interior were like before 2014 renovations that they lay a new fresh clear coated Maple floor with sanded look. What attracted me to this beautiful rink is everything including that Maple floor. They had beautiful lighted half-walls that is cinderblocks on the off-rink side while on the rink side, 2 toned lights. One is Pink Red and the other Sky Blue. And have black lettering on the building wall with the name, SKATELAND in italic and shines Sky Blue around the letters. Black walls of course. This appearance would not remind anyone of a rink from the 1970s or 1980s at all. Truly updated very well thoroughly. The mural was painted by a very creative professional artist who works in Hollywood industry.
It gave that night club feel interior when they did the remodel in 2014 along with the floor because Maple last about 50 years and it was almost time for a new floor. That original floor was 46 years old.
The Exterior.
The original appearance was so groovy that I love that appearance. No rink had that graphic design on the outside. It did included popular 1960s colors with two toned Olive Greens and Oranges stripes with a vertical oval with two skaters in their appearance from the 1960s/70s look. The bell bottom pants especially the gentleman wearing a plaid pants which was popular in early 1970s, the mullet-like hair, large long sideburns that man had, and she had that in-the-middle comb of her hair (glad it was not a honeybee hairdo! Haha) and straight wavy blond hair. That appearance was so true to the early 1970s look. That photograph was taken in 1975 so it made sense it was during first half of that decade. Peace! Haha.
Then they had renovations on the outside expanding the rink where the front door was and that wall and expanded wider. Gone was those stripes of paints and cute couple. They reminded me of Kim and Roberto but more adult realistic figures. Yes, Kim and Roberto were very popular cartoon characters based on the real life Kim and Roberto that they drew for "Love is..." series.
The later renovations I do not know what happened. Then next one for sure was Red and White theme. They had Modernism font for Northridge Skateland as seen on there but then just Skateland. Then they painted over Red with Royal Blue which carried through till the end of the rink. Same with the sign. Red letterings and White background but then Royal Blue letterings and White background. It is just trendy. I am sure the Red look was made for 2000s. After 1975 which was very 1970s look, I am sure in 1980s and 1990s they had different looks. Anyone have pictures?
The 1958 look I am not sure either.
The Stats:
Rink Size: 12,000 SF. Floor: Bare (natural) Maple. Floor Layout: LOG
Building Size: 1958: 18,000 SF. Added 5,000 SF onto the west side to expand food, games and seating. Final: 23,000 SF.
Built: 1958. Expanded: N/A. Demolished: Still standing.
Type of Building: Free-Span Wood Truss Cinderblocks-Walled Storefront - like Building.
Roof: Segmental Arch. The expansion had Flat roof added.
Acres: 1.2100 AC.
Operated: (Overall)-- January 30, 1958 to December 2020.
January 30, 1958 to December 2020.
Reason for Closure: Affected by COVID-19 lockdown, forcing to sell.
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:
Yelp - Reported closed.
Skateland - Website
Skateland - downloaded
KCRW - announcing closing
Patch - Announcing the new Trebek Center
YouTube - Announcing the closure of the rink.
The Trebek Center "Hopeland"
If you want to make a donation, please donate to the The Trebek Center "Hopeland" (please click link above) or your hometown homeless shelter such as Salvation Army, Rescue Mission (please support your local RM. And shop at their Thrifty Shopper stores), etc. God truly bless you on your donation.
Date of issue: 10 February 2021.
Updated: 24 March 2021.
Updated: 14 April 2022.
Updated: 20 April 2022.
For office only: 25/1.
© Copyrighted by Dead-Rinks. All Rights Reserved. Jn 3:16.