Both courtesy of Starlite Skates and Arcade. The top photo is fading sign of the old name from 1937. Maybe someone can painstaking paint that sign into new again.
Google Map. 2007 and 2012. No newer photos available.
Courtesy of Starlite. Interior in 2017. Floor redone, sanded and recoated. simple colors of Blue and Rust Red. And simple Starbursts using 2 lines instead of 4.
The current look under Highrollers Skate and Fun Zone.
Starlite Skate Center 130 E 3rd Street, Newton, KS
Newton Skate Center, Ultimate Martial Arts Fun & Fitness Center 130 E 3rd Street, Newton, KS
Starlite Skate and Arcade 130 E 3rd Street, Newton, KS
Highrollers Skate and Fun Zone 130 E 3rd Street, Newton, KS (Currently operating)
Newton Skate Center, Ultimate Martial Arts Fun & Fitness Center 130 E 3rd Street, Newton, KS
Starlite Skate and Arcade 130 E 3rd Street, Newton, KS
Highrollers Skate and Fun Zone 130 E 3rd Street, Newton, KS (Currently operating)
First came was Starlite Skate Center followed by Newton Skate Center, Ultimate Martial Arts Fun & Fitness Center which was on 130 E 3rd Street, Newton, Kansas before Skateland Family Fun Center currently operating at the same location. The third business there.
The Newton Skate Center, Ultimate Martial Arts Fun & Fitness Center was bit of unusual name and business itself because they were all three in the same location. Looks like they shared the same building but taking turns.
Starlite first opened in 1937. This February, the rink will have been at its location on Third Street for 80 years. It has changed hands many times and I am sure names have changed quite a bit but this is all I have for the moment.
As for the Newton Skate Center, Ultimate Martial Arts Fun & Fitness Center -- They had several activities in the same place in hopes to make the rink survive because roller skating was down at the time. They had --
- Roller Skating
- Zumba
- Boot Camp
- Kick Boxing
- Martial Arts
- Indoor Soccer
- Adult Dodge Ball Tournaments
- Skate Party Packages
- Dance Parties
- Rental of the rink for private use
- Speed and Agility Training for Team Sports
I can see why they did not make it successful because they had too many activities in a very limited space which was making everything very limited at the spot. Having a lot of ideas are awesome but they need to have it as a large facility as big as a former A-store size (Department store) or a dead mall. Why? Each of those activities needed to have their own space so they can come and practice at their own pace and their own time and instructors' preferences of usage of the facility for practices and tournaments.
This rink--Newton Skate Center was clearly used as a fitness center, not a family entertainment focused (kids friendly skating rink). I love the idea of fitness because of today children sits around and chat or play with their cell phones that they are glued to. Diabetes up, HBP up, obesity.. you name it. Or even going skinny because they want to try to be like those Hollywood people.
The Interior.
Maple wood floor repainted and sanded and new coat of Polyurethane. It was very simple job, not fancy with thick epoxy coat on. That was under Starlite Skate and Arcade but under Highrollers, uh oh. They totally revamped making it more darker, two tones floor with one very dark Gray and the other looked like sanding white did not polish right. Too odd. But I love the colors that truly stand out. That look is very common at many rinks out there. They also have huge decals on the floor. Not a good idea. when rolling skating often, it will peal it off. It will age the floor fast. I am squeezing my eyes shut big time! Sorry for my being blunt opinion. Remember, it is my opinion. Next!
I do not know what it looked like in late 1930s till 1990s. Anyone? Photos?
The Exterior.
Looks like an old house or old building but has that appearance of age old. yes, it was built in 1937 when it was first opened. During the Great Depression just before World War II. It may have difference appearance than the appearance than the ones I showed you in photos above. Any older photos?
The Stats:
Rink Size: 10,000 SF. Floor: Maple floor. Floor Layout: N/A.
Building Size: N/A. Built: 1937. Demolished: Still standing, heavily renovated recently.
Type of Building: Free-Span Steel Truss Wood-Walled Warehouse - like Building.
Roof: Gable.
Acres: N/A.
Operated: (Overall)-- N/A.
Starlite Skate Center: 1937 to December 31, 2012.
Newton Skate Center, Ultimate Martial Arts Fun & Fitness Center: February 18, 2013 to January 2017.
Starlite Skate and Arcade: January 21, 2017 to 2018.
Highrollers Skate and Fun Zone: 2018 to Present.
Reason for Closure:
Starlite Skate Center: N/A.
Newton Skate Center, Ultimate Martial Arts Fun & Fitness Center: N/A.
Starlite Skate and Arcade: N/A.
Highrollers Skate and Fun Zone: 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: The Kansan - Starlite Skate Opens Doors; Facebook - Newton Skate Center;
Date of issue: 19 February 2021.
© Copyrighted by Dead-Rinks. All Rights Reserved. Jn 3:16.
The Newton Skate Center, Ultimate Martial Arts Fun & Fitness Center was bit of unusual name and business itself because they were all three in the same location. Looks like they shared the same building but taking turns.
Starlite first opened in 1937. This February, the rink will have been at its location on Third Street for 80 years. It has changed hands many times and I am sure names have changed quite a bit but this is all I have for the moment.
As for the Newton Skate Center, Ultimate Martial Arts Fun & Fitness Center -- They had several activities in the same place in hopes to make the rink survive because roller skating was down at the time. They had --
- Roller Skating
- Zumba
- Boot Camp
- Kick Boxing
- Martial Arts
- Indoor Soccer
- Adult Dodge Ball Tournaments
- Skate Party Packages
- Dance Parties
- Rental of the rink for private use
- Speed and Agility Training for Team Sports
I can see why they did not make it successful because they had too many activities in a very limited space which was making everything very limited at the spot. Having a lot of ideas are awesome but they need to have it as a large facility as big as a former A-store size (Department store) or a dead mall. Why? Each of those activities needed to have their own space so they can come and practice at their own pace and their own time and instructors' preferences of usage of the facility for practices and tournaments.
This rink--Newton Skate Center was clearly used as a fitness center, not a family entertainment focused (kids friendly skating rink). I love the idea of fitness because of today children sits around and chat or play with their cell phones that they are glued to. Diabetes up, HBP up, obesity.. you name it. Or even going skinny because they want to try to be like those Hollywood people.
The Interior.
Maple wood floor repainted and sanded and new coat of Polyurethane. It was very simple job, not fancy with thick epoxy coat on. That was under Starlite Skate and Arcade but under Highrollers, uh oh. They totally revamped making it more darker, two tones floor with one very dark Gray and the other looked like sanding white did not polish right. Too odd. But I love the colors that truly stand out. That look is very common at many rinks out there. They also have huge decals on the floor. Not a good idea. when rolling skating often, it will peal it off. It will age the floor fast. I am squeezing my eyes shut big time! Sorry for my being blunt opinion. Remember, it is my opinion. Next!
I do not know what it looked like in late 1930s till 1990s. Anyone? Photos?
The Exterior.
Looks like an old house or old building but has that appearance of age old. yes, it was built in 1937 when it was first opened. During the Great Depression just before World War II. It may have difference appearance than the appearance than the ones I showed you in photos above. Any older photos?
The Stats:
Rink Size: 10,000 SF. Floor: Maple floor. Floor Layout: N/A.
Building Size: N/A. Built: 1937. Demolished: Still standing, heavily renovated recently.
Type of Building: Free-Span Steel Truss Wood-Walled Warehouse - like Building.
Roof: Gable.
Acres: N/A.
Operated: (Overall)-- N/A.
Starlite Skate Center: 1937 to December 31, 2012.
Newton Skate Center, Ultimate Martial Arts Fun & Fitness Center: February 18, 2013 to January 2017.
Starlite Skate and Arcade: January 21, 2017 to 2018.
Highrollers Skate and Fun Zone: 2018 to Present.
Reason for Closure:
Starlite Skate Center: N/A.
Newton Skate Center, Ultimate Martial Arts Fun & Fitness Center: N/A.
Starlite Skate and Arcade: N/A.
Highrollers Skate and Fun Zone: 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: The Kansan - Starlite Skate Opens Doors; Facebook - Newton Skate Center;
Date of issue: 19 February 2021.
© Copyrighted by Dead-Rinks. All Rights Reserved. Jn 3:16.