I am not sure if that was correct location but that is what I got on Google Map. If that was the case, now it is a quarry for a cement company. The parking lot north of the red pin is a 2-story office building in case you are wondering.
West Soo Roller Rink, 1221 N. Louise Ave, Sioux Falls, SD
This rink was first suggested by owner and operator Charlie Lowell’s uncle who operated the Wall Lake Roller Rink (I have no other information regarding Wall Lake Roller Rink). So, Charlie operated with his sister-in-law, Helen Brockhouse, who was also his co-worker at West Soo Hardware.
West Soo Roller Rink first opened on New Year’s Eve of 1940. It was a brand-new venue on Highway 38, now 1221 N. Louise Ave., north of the West Soo Gardens. This is likely where they got the name from. Although Soo sounds like it was from Sioux. How the name sounded or spelled. Anyway, the rink was an arched roof building with 140-by-54-foot dimension with 6,480 square feet of 3/4-inch-thick maple flooring for a skating area. (my opinion that it may have covered the entire floor, not separated from "off-the-rink" walls. The rink building was completely insulated for the cold North and equipped with a heating plant (this means a separate building) and an air conditioner to allow for year-round skating. There were 29 multicolored fluorescent lamps to illuminate and a sound system that could reach every corner of the building. There were ample skate racks and there were bleachers to accommodate fans. It was more like a stadium or arena than just a skating rink. It was designed for roller ballroom dancing and figure skating. (Taken from Argus Leader with modifications.)
This was really well described about the rink in that newspaper! Well researched. That New Year's Eve celebration was heavily competed against theaters and dance halls in town. But roller skating was very popular at the time and it was a sell out. The opening was well planned and perhaps well advertised. Perfect way to usher in new year by opening the business. Who would want to open on say.. Thursday March 23rd? Who would want to remember that date compared to December 31-January 1? I am sure you choose the latter. It was easy to remember to plan to attend to celebrate opening and New Year's. Charlie did right clearly.
Back the day, when teenagers and children cause trouble, a hired police officer on site usually get children sit down and be scolded and quite rarely they are thrown out. Not like today that once a tiny fractions you are out of the rink. This modern concept hurts rinks more than what they did back then. Smart move officer! And Charlie!
But Charlie retired in 1978 and handed the business to his son, Russell. However, other rinks already came around which they were feeling the heat of competition such as in early 1962, Valli Hi Skateland opened on East 41st Street. while in 1974, Carousel opened just a few blocks from West Soo. The new rinks had more modern skating surfaces made of epoxy coating and provide video games and more modern appearances. These new rinks' surfaces were better coated and were a lot less noisy.
Unfortunately in July 1987, West Soo closed for good. It had a good 47 years run.
The floors were pulled up and sold to those who would re-purpose them into home floors or dance floors. West Soo was only wooden rink in the area at the time. All other rinks had modern flooring including concrete and other surfaces.
Rink Size: Likely 54' X 120' (6,480 SF) Floor: 3/4 thick Maple. Raw (no coating).
Floor Layout: N/A
Building Size: 54' X 140' Built: 1940.
Type of Building: Arched. Likely concrete built.
Roof: Arched.
Operated: December 31, 1939 to July 1987.
Reason for Closure: Tough competitions nearby, dated floor.
Wanted: Information regarding photos and exact date of closure, why closed.
Sources: Argus Leader,
© 2019 Dead Rinks. All Rights Reserved.
This rink was first suggested by owner and operator Charlie Lowell’s uncle who operated the Wall Lake Roller Rink (I have no other information regarding Wall Lake Roller Rink). So, Charlie operated with his sister-in-law, Helen Brockhouse, who was also his co-worker at West Soo Hardware.
West Soo Roller Rink first opened on New Year’s Eve of 1940. It was a brand-new venue on Highway 38, now 1221 N. Louise Ave., north of the West Soo Gardens. This is likely where they got the name from. Although Soo sounds like it was from Sioux. How the name sounded or spelled. Anyway, the rink was an arched roof building with 140-by-54-foot dimension with 6,480 square feet of 3/4-inch-thick maple flooring for a skating area. (my opinion that it may have covered the entire floor, not separated from "off-the-rink" walls. The rink building was completely insulated for the cold North and equipped with a heating plant (this means a separate building) and an air conditioner to allow for year-round skating. There were 29 multicolored fluorescent lamps to illuminate and a sound system that could reach every corner of the building. There were ample skate racks and there were bleachers to accommodate fans. It was more like a stadium or arena than just a skating rink. It was designed for roller ballroom dancing and figure skating. (Taken from Argus Leader with modifications.)
This was really well described about the rink in that newspaper! Well researched. That New Year's Eve celebration was heavily competed against theaters and dance halls in town. But roller skating was very popular at the time and it was a sell out. The opening was well planned and perhaps well advertised. Perfect way to usher in new year by opening the business. Who would want to open on say.. Thursday March 23rd? Who would want to remember that date compared to December 31-January 1? I am sure you choose the latter. It was easy to remember to plan to attend to celebrate opening and New Year's. Charlie did right clearly.
Back the day, when teenagers and children cause trouble, a hired police officer on site usually get children sit down and be scolded and quite rarely they are thrown out. Not like today that once a tiny fractions you are out of the rink. This modern concept hurts rinks more than what they did back then. Smart move officer! And Charlie!
But Charlie retired in 1978 and handed the business to his son, Russell. However, other rinks already came around which they were feeling the heat of competition such as in early 1962, Valli Hi Skateland opened on East 41st Street. while in 1974, Carousel opened just a few blocks from West Soo. The new rinks had more modern skating surfaces made of epoxy coating and provide video games and more modern appearances. These new rinks' surfaces were better coated and were a lot less noisy.
Unfortunately in July 1987, West Soo closed for good. It had a good 47 years run.
The floors were pulled up and sold to those who would re-purpose them into home floors or dance floors. West Soo was only wooden rink in the area at the time. All other rinks had modern flooring including concrete and other surfaces.
Rink Size: Likely 54' X 120' (6,480 SF) Floor: 3/4 thick Maple. Raw (no coating).
Floor Layout: N/A
Building Size: 54' X 140' Built: 1940.
Type of Building: Arched. Likely concrete built.
Roof: Arched.
Operated: December 31, 1939 to July 1987.
Reason for Closure: Tough competitions nearby, dated floor.
Wanted: Information regarding photos and exact date of closure, why closed.
Sources: Argus Leader,
© 2019 Dead Rinks. All Rights Reserved.