Newsgroups: rec.sport.skating.roller,rec.sport.skating.inline
Subject: Roller Skating Rinks Eastern Region List FAQ
Summary: Roller Rinks in Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania
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Keywords: skating,roller,in-line,FAQ
Expires: Sun Jan 21 17:31:51 EST 1996
Archive-Name: roller-skating/rinks-eastern
Posting-Frequency: monthly
Last-Modified: Thu Dec 12 00:22:26 EST 1996
*** Copyright 1994, 1995 by George Robbins - see detailed note at end ***
This is the Eastern Region section of the Roller Skating Rink list.
Delaware - New Jersey - Pennsylvania
For information about the organization of the individual entries, sources
of the material, or how to submit an entry for your rink, please see the
overview posting, which posted at the same time as these sections.
This document is posted periodically to the rec.sport.skating.roller
usenet newsgroup, and can also be accessed via the world wide web (www)
using the following URL:
http://www.netaxs.com/people/grr/Roller
Please e-mail any comments, corrections or additions to: grr@tharsis.com
Especially looking for:
PLEASE remember that schedules and other details are subject to change.
The intent of the list is to help you find interesting rinks. It's up
to you to call the rink and make sure there's a time and type of session
that is compatible with your plans and interests.
========================================================================
Index
====
Eastern Region
Delaware
All Areas - (302)
Christiana/Ogletown/Newark, DE
Christiana Skating Center - 302-366-0473(tape)/366-0426
Dover, DE
Dover Skating Center - 302-697-3218/697-3219
Elsmere/Wilmington, DE
Elsmere Skating Center - 302-654-5520/654-3428
Laurel/Seaford, DE
Skateworld - 302-875-2121
Milford, DE
Milford Skating Center - 302-422-3700/422-2740
Rehoboth Beach, DE
Skateworld II - 302-645-0463
New Jersey
South Jersey - (609)
Albion/Berlin, NJ
Cross Keys Skating Center - 609-767-7815
Atlantic City, NJ
Atlantic City Seaside Resort - (proposed)
Cape May, NJ
Cape May Convention Hall - 609-884-9565
Carll's Corner/Bridgeton, NJ
Skate World (was All-Skate Skating Center) - 609-453-0800
Cherry Hill, NJ
Cherry Hill Skating Center - 609-795-1919(tape)/795-1909
Delanco/Willingboro/Burlington, NJ
Holiday Skating Center - 609-461-3770
Deptford/Woodbury, NJ
Deptford Skating Center - 609-845-7353
Franklinville/Glassboro, NJ
Franklin Skating Center - 609-694-0600
Hammonton, NJ
Rollway Roller Rink - 609-561-8061
Hurffville/Glassboro, NJ
Skater's Choice - 609-582-0002
Pleasantville/Atlantic City, NJ
Parkway Skating Center - 609-383-1800
Mays Landing, NJ
Young's Skating Center (and Lenape Park) -
609-625-1191/625-2021
Marleton, NJ
Evesham Skating Center - 609-983-3500
Tuckerton, NJ
Tuckerton Skateway - 609-296-0809
Voorhees, NJ
AJ Hounds Roller Rink - 609-427-4141
Echelon Skating Center - 609-346-1335/346-0055
Central and Western Areas - (908)
Bridgewater, NJ
Extremes - 908-560-0005
Broadway, NJ
Villa Roller Rink - 908-689-6155
Eatontown, NJ
Eatontown Roller Skating Center - 908-542-5858/542-5891
Edison/New Brunswick, NJ
United Skates of America Skating Center -
908-494-6655/494-6656
Frenchtown, NJ
Frenchtown Roller Rink - 908-996-6313
Hackettstown, NJ
Hackettstown Family Skating Center - 908-852-8155
Jackson/Lakewood, NJ
Jackson Skating Center (Roller Magic) - 908-363-2222
Kendall Park/New Brunswick, NJ
Kendall Park Roller Rink - 908-297-3003/297-3776
Lakewood, NJ
Skate Arena - 908-363-5583
South Amboy, NJ
South Amboy Roller Rink (aka Roller Magic Arena) -
908-727-1122
Union/Union County/Newark, NJ
Skate 22 - 908-686-6838
North Jersey - (201)
Bellville/Newark, NJ
Branch Brook Roller Rink - 201-482-8900
Bergenfield/Bergen County/North Jersey, NJ
The Rink - 201-384-5000(schedule)/384-2474
Florham Park/Morristown/Morris County, NJ
Florham Park Skating Center - 201-377-0465
Montvale, NJ
The Rink (aka Montvale Hockey Rink) - 201-391-9068
Wallington, NJ
Inline Skating Club (was Wallington Skating Rink) -
201-473-8900
Wayne/Passaic County/North Jersey, NJ
Skaters World Roller Rink - 201-694-9440
Wharton/Dover/Morris County, NJ
Wheels in Motion (was Roller World) - 201-328-7900
Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, northern and eastern suburbs - (215)
Cornwells Heights/Bensalem, PA
Cornwells Roller Skating Center - 215-638-7766
Langhorne, PA
Sportland America of Langhorne - 215-547-7766
Levitttown, PA
Rollerama - 215-949-2782
Line-Lexington/Montgomeryville, PA
Spin-A-Round Skating Center (was CCM) - 215-822-8242
Northeast Philadelphia, PA
Palace Roller Skating Center - 215-698-8000(tape)/698-8001
Woodhaven Sports Center - 216-637-6900 (hockey)
WOW Family Fun Center (was United Skates) - 215-335-9587
Pennsburg/Allentown, PA
The Embassy Skating Center - 215-679-3800/679-2735
Philadelphia, PA
Carman Gardens Roller Skating - 215-223-2200
Elmwood Roller Skating Rink - 215-492-8543
Kensington Roller Rink - (closed)
Olympian Entertainment - (closed)
Rizzo Ice Rink (aka Headhouse Square) -
215-685-1593 (seasonal)
Saint Charles Skating Rink - 215-545-7669
Warrington, PA
Warrington Roller Skating Rink - 215-343-9999
Southeastern outside Philadelphia Area - (610)
Aston/Village Green, PA
CN Skate Palace - 610-494-4442(tape)/494-4443
Bethlehem/Easton, PA
Skateaway Roller Rink - 610-865-4004
Boyertown, PA
Pheasantland Rollerdrome (aka The Rink) - 610-689-9249
Caln/Thorndale/Downingtown, PA
Caln Roller Rink - 610-269-6229
Danielsville, PA
Edgemont Park Roller Rink - 610-767-1200
Drexel Hill, PA
Neon Lights Roller Rink - 610-446-9758
Gilbert, PA
Inner Skate Arena - (closed)
Lehighton, PA
LaRose's Skating Rink - 610-377-1859
Macungie/Allentown, PA
The 100 Roller Skating Rink (aka The 100) - 610-398-0704
Muhlenburg/Reading, PA
Fantasy Skating Center - 610-929-3147
Pottstown, PA
Ringing Rocks Roller Rink - 610-323-6560
Sanatoga Roller Skating - 610-323-1884
Shillington/Reading, PA
Skateaway Roller Rink - 610-777-4000
Sinking Spring/Reading, PA
Sinking Spring Skate Arena - (closed)
Herb Texter's Starlight Skating - 610-777-2969
Temple/Reading, PA
Timberline Ice Skating Center (aka Timberline Twin Arenas) -
610-929-0808(tape)/926-4204 (hockey)
Villanova/Radnor/Bryn Mawr, PA
Villanova Skating Center (was Radnor Rolls) - 610-527-7465
Whitehall/Allentown, PA
Skateaway Roller Rink - 610-767-1200
Central and Northeastern - (717)
Berwick, PA
Stenko's Skating Rink - 717-752-3005
Bloomsburg, PA
Skatetown - 717-784-3580
Carlisle, PA
Midway Skating Rink - 717-243-7829
Carlisle Sports Emporium - 717-258-4741 (planned)
Chambersburg, PA
Red Bridge Park Roller Rink - 717-264-9916
Dallas/Wilkes-Barre, PA
Rollaway Skating Rink - 717-675-4844
Danville, PA
Magic River Skateland - 717-275-1473
Enola/Harrisburg, PA
Olympic Skating Center - 717-732-9168
Hanover, PA
Magic Elm Skateland - 717-632-1888
Hazleton, PA
Hazleton Skate Center - (closed)
Herndon, PA
The Skatery - 717-758-1775
Honesdale, PA
Just Not Skating - 717-253-4301
Honey Grove, PA
Woodside Roller Rink - 717-734-3564
Jim Thorpe, PA
Memorial Hall Skating Rink - 717-325-3201
Kingston/Wilkes-Barre, PA
Roller King Skating Center - 717-283-0606
Lancaster, PA
Castle Roller Skating - 717-393-3126
Overlook Roller Skating Rink - 717-325-3701
Regency Sports Rink - 717-391-6370 (hockey)
Lebanon, PA
Casino Roller Rink - Closed
Lewistown, PA
Carousel Roller rink (was Roller's Roost) -
717-248-5586
Lock Haven, PA
Magic River Skateland - 717-748-6670
Matamoras, PA
Big Wheel North - 717-491-1117
Mayfield, PA
The Rink at Racqueteers Fitness - 717-876-5432
Middleburg, PA
Criss-Cross - 717-837-0649
Middletown, PA
Doc's Roller Review - 717-944-7866
Mifflintown, PA
J C Entertainment Center - 717-436-8050
Mount Gretna/Lebanon, PA
Mount Gretna Roller Rink - 717-964-3631/964-3633
New Cumberland/Harrisburg, PA
Fountainblu Skating Arena (was Hagy's...) - 717-938-3777
New Milford, PA
Blue Ridge Skating Rink - 717-465-9970
Pottsville, PA
Roller Roost II - 717-628-4032
Rome, PA
Bonin Roller Dome - 717-247-7987
Sayre, PA
Keystone Roller Rink - 717-888-9475
Scotrun, PA
Caesar's Brookdale -
717-839-8843/800-233-4141 (restricted)
Scranton, PA
Skateaway - 717-346-9192
Shamokin Dam/Sunbury, PA
Sunset Rink - 717-743-6060
Shrewsbury, PA
Rollerland - 717-227-0191
Stroudsburg, PA
Big Wheels Skating Center - 717-424-5499
Troy, PA
Troy Skateland - 717-297-3814
Waynesboro, PA
Skateland - 717-762-8581
Wilkes-Barre, PA
Skateaway - 717-829-1236
Wysox/Towanda, PA
Beers Roller Rink - 717-265-8204/265-9383
York, PA
Roll-R-Way Family Skating Center (was Roll-R-Way West) -
717-843-7500
York Springs, PA
Mary Jane Roller Rink - 717-528-4712
Southwestern - (412)
Beaver Falls, PA
Homewood Roller Rink - 412-843-9992
Belle Vernon, PA
Jam-N-Skate - 412-929-5363
Bethel Park/Pittsburg, PA
VIP Picnic Place - 412-833-5258
Bridgeville, PA
Great Southern Roller and Ice Arena - 412-221-7111
Butler, PA
Skate Castle - 412-287-3930
Canonsburg, PA
Roll-R-Skate - 412-745-6008
Cheswick, PA
Ches-A-Rena III - 412-274-8181
Connellsville, PA
Fay West Arena - 412-628-1155
Coraopolis, PA
Rolling Wheels - 412-262-4858
Delmont/Greensburg, PA
Rock Springs Roller Rink - 412-468-8993
Donora, PA 15033
Valley Skating Center - 412-379-6700
Ellwood City, PA
Ellport Roller Rink - 412-752-0075
Glenshaw/Pittsburgh, PA
Romp-N-Roll - 412-486-4117
Grove City, PA
Neat Feat Skating Center - 412-458-4471
Hermitage/Sharon, PA
Olympic Roller World - 412-981-3371/981-3374
Georgetown/Hookstown, PA
Melody Lane Roller Rink - (closed)
Indiana, PA
Indiana Skating Center (aka Paramount?) - 412-463-3161
Irwin, PA
Norwin Skateland (was Sadie's Place) -
412-863-5761/863-5791
Latrobe, PA
Latrobe Skating Center - 412-537-8541
Liesenring/Connellsville, PA
Divito Park - 412-626-1144
McKeesport, PA
Eden Park Roller Rink - 412-751-3200
Neville Island/Corapolis, PA
Neville Roller Drome - 412-264-9856
New Kensington, PA
Melwood Park Roller Skating Rink (aka Fun Zone) - 412-337-7095
North Apollo, PA
Valarena Roller Skating - 412-478-3065
Pittsburgh, PA
Ardmore Roller Skating Palace - 412-271-6000
City Limits - 412-793-7344
Shadyskates (also The Factory) -
412-731-5400(shop)/731-4937(parties)
Spinning Wheels Roller Skating - 412-922-7000 (closed?)
Schenley Ice Rink - 412-422-6523 (seasonal)
Rose Point/New Castle, PA
Ellhurst Roller Skating (aka ...Skating and Parties) -
412-924-2064
Tarentum, PA
Tarena Roller Rink - 412-226-0702
Fairchance/Uniontown, PA
Swaney's Roller Rink - 412-564-2410/564-9413
Uniontown, PA
Wheels Of Eight - 412-437-7465
Washington, PA
Pancake Skate-N-Whirl - 412-223-9500
Waynesburg, PA
Interstate Skateland - 412-627-7608
Northwestern - (814)
Altoona, PA
Sir Skate Of Altoona - 814-944-9444
Bedford, PA
Moon Glow II - 814-623-9597
Bradford, PA
Evan's Rollerdrome - 814-368-9802
Clearfield, PA
Skate Station - 814-765-1234
Champion, PA
Seven Springs Mountain Resort - 814-352-7777 (seaonal)
Corry, PA
3 Deeez Skate-N-Arcade (aka Rock-N-Roller Skate) -
814-664-3006
Coudersport, PA
Magic Valley Skateland - 814-274-7744
Cranberry/Oil City, PA
Seneca Skating Rink - 814-677-5700
Erie, PA
Evan's Skateland West - 814-833-0740
Yevet's Let's Skate - 814-455-6054
Harborcreek/Erie, PA
Skate Way Roller Rink - 814-899-6800
Johnstown, PA
Roseland - 814-536-9653
Skateland Roller Rink - 814-266-5507
Kane, PA
Shirley's Temple - 814-837-7292
Martinsburg, PA
Morrison's Cove Memorial Park - 814-793-3335
Meadville, PA
Meadville Area Recreation Complex - 814-724-6006
Mingoville, PA
Hecla Park Skating Center - 814-383-2324
Mount Union, PA
Raystown Roller Rink - 814-542-2520
New Bethlehem
Roller Rink - 814-275-2585(town office)
Punxsutawney, PA
Good's Rollerlodge - 814-938-9065
Reynoldsville, PA
Reynoldsville Rollerdrome - 814-653-8651
Russell, PA
Russell Roller Rink - 814-757-5283
Sheffield, PA
Forestview Roller Rink - 814-968-9931
Snow Shoe, PA
Our Lady Of Snow Skating Rink - 814-387-6655
Somerset, PA
Star Lite Roller Skating Center - 814-445-6806
Spring Mills, PA
Country Skateaway - 814-422-8686
Titusville, PA
Millers Rollerdrome - 814-827-3412
Union City, PA
Canadohta Lake Roller Rink - 814-694-3608
Wilcox, PA
Joy Gardens Roller Rink - 814-929-5634
========================================================================
========================================================================
Delaware (302) - All Areas
Phone numbers and addresses checked against a CD-ROM directory 1/96,
and against the RSA directory and USAC/RS directory.
This should be essentially all the roller rinks in Delaware.
====
Christiana/Ogletown/Newark, DE 19713-3200
Christiana Skating Center
801 Christiana Road - Rt 273
Christiana is located in northwestern Delaware, a few miles east of
Newark. From I-95, get off at exit 3 - Rt 273 - Newark and then head
northwest on Rt 273 towards Newark. The rink is on the left-hand side
of the road, just past the first traffic light after the intersection.
302-366-0473(tape)/302-366-0426
Tues 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM Family Skate
Thurs 9:00 PM - 11:00 PM Adult-16 Skate
Fri 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
9:00 PM - 11:30 PM
Sat 8:00 PM - 11:30 PM
Sun 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM Adult-16 Skate - Top 40 DJ
Hardwood Floor - Medium Size - Oval
In-lines allowed, but speed skates are the most popular.
Skate Shop - Snack Bar - Games - Air Conditioned
Rules Strictly But Inconsistantly Enforced
RSA Member Rink
USAC/RS Artistic and JO Clubs
I used to say nice things about this rink, but frankly I haven't skated
there for a couple of years. The problem is that they don't have any
artistic or real "adult" sessions. Their idea of an adult session is
16 and up, which means that the majority of the the skaters are roughly
high-school aged and management caters towards this.
The enforcement of the rules is quite uneven - backwards skating is
limited to a small center zone and the sometimes omitted backwards skate.
One skate guard would let you skate backwards just outside the line to
avoid interfering with people practicing in the center, another would
signal to turn around. Speed skating and rat-racing were supposedly
prohibited but enforcement of this is extremely lax. The same group of
speed-skaters would get whistled down every week with no consequence,
but adult skaters stretching any rule would get called aside by the
manager and told to straighten up or leave.
It seemed like a good, challenging place for a while, but once I really
started learning to skate well, it got restrictive and I felt that I
was being singled out unfairly and so I took my business elsewhere. For
skilled adult skaters with transportation, there are better sessions at
other rinks in the Philadelphia and South Jersey areas.
On the other hand, this is a great rink for teenagers and family skating.
The "adult" sessions are hard on beginners, there's just too much of a
crowd and fast skating to let the beginners relax and learn. They should
probably try some of the quieter weeknight or weekend family sessions,
even though you have to put up with the children. My sisters have taken
their children there for the family skating sessions.
The rink is kept in good condition, though there are some heavily dinged
spots near the floor entrances. The sound system is pretty good and the
DJ's are usually OK, though it seems to be a rotation of kids or amateurs,
rather than one regular DJ. They have a snack bar, party room, video game
room and skate shop. The floor is bordered on two sides by a carpeted
seating/changing area.
The rink has an active competitive program and is the home of some well
respected coaches, but this activity is completely invisible to the
public session skaters. It is periodially hosts the Eastern Regionals
and holds a springtime invitational meet on the other years. There is
also speed skating and an active roller hockey program, but the later
is just for kids.
[ attribution lost ]
My regular indoor rink is Christiana here in Newark, Delaware. Several
champion figure skaters have come from here. I never really paid attention
to that fact until I was skating at a rink in Ohio. A woman asked me where
I was from. After I told here that I usually skate at a rink in Delaware,
she said, "Oh yeah. I have heard of Christiana. [name I don't remember]
came from there."
====
Dover, DE 19901-5512
Dover Skating Center
2201 South Dupont Highway
Dover is located in central Delaware. From I-295, head south on US 13
for about 40 miles to the Dover area. This rink should be directly
on US 13 - The Dupont Highway, south of Dover.
302-697-3218/697-3219
Mon 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM Christian Night
Tues 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM Family Night
Fri 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
9:00 PM - 11:30 PM Teen Night
Sat 12:00 noon - 4:00 PM
7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
9:00 PM - 11:30 PM
Sun 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
RSA Member Rink
USAC/RS Artistic, JO and Speed clubs
====
Elsmere/Wilmington, DE 19805-4118
Elsmere Skating Center
New Road
Wilmington is located in northern Delaware. From I-95, get off at
exit 5 - Rt 141 and head north though Newport to Rt 2 at Prices
Corner, then head east on Rt 2 towards Wilmington. After you cross
the railroad overpass, you want to turn left and go one block to
New Road, and then turn left again to get back to below the overpass
area. The rink is on the right side of New Road, just before the
railroad tracks.
302-654-5520/654-3428
Wed 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Family Night
9:15 PM - 11:00 Adult Organ Music Session
Fri 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
9:30 PM - 11:30 PM
Sat 8:00 PM - 12:00 PM DJ G-Man
Sun 8:00 PM - 12:30 PM Adult-18 Night - DJ G-Man
Hardwood - ? - Oval
RSA Member Rink
USAC/RS Artistic and JO Clubs
I've only stopped by here off hours, but this appears to be a nice full
size rink. Historically it has a bit of a local reputation for being a
"rough" place, but this may be the suburban view of a rink that serves
both the blue collar Elsmere/Prices Corner area and the urban Wilmington
neighborhoods in addition to the surrounding suburbs.
The have some kind of artistic oriented session with organ music on
Wednesdays, after the family session, but I don't know if it's tapes
or live music. An instructor is available.
====
Laurel/Seaford, DE 19956
Skateworld
Laurel-Seaford Highway
Laurel and Seaford are located in southwestern Delaware, along US 13
about 40 miles south of Dover. From points north, take US 13 south,
the rink should be on US 13 probably just north of Seaford by the
US 13 / US 9 intersection.
302-875-2121
Tues 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM Family Night
Wed 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM Report Card Night?
Fri 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM
11:00 PM - 1:00 AM Late Skate
Sat 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
7:30 PM - 10:00 PM
10:00 PM - 12:00 PM Late Skate
Sun 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
7:30 PM - 10:30 PM
RSA Member Rink
USAC/RS Artistic, JO and Hockey Clubs?
====
Milford, DE 19963-1441
Milford Skating Center
1 Park Avenue
Milford is located in southern Delaware, about 20 miles south of
Dover along Rt 113. The rink is near the center of Milford, from
US 113 or Rt 1, take Front street towards town and turn onto Walnut
Street and the Park Avenue Park runs parallel to the river, between
North and South Front Streets.
302-422-3700/422-2740
Tues 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Fri 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
9:00 PM - 11:30 PM
Sat 12:30 PM - 4:30 PM Family Skate
8:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Sun 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Family Skate
RSA Member Rink
According to the attendant, they don't have any special adult or
artistic skating sessions.
====
Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
Skateworld II
Rt 1 at Midway Shopping Center
Reohboth Beach is a shore resort area located along the Atlantic
in southeastern Delaware. From points north, take Rt 1 or Rt 9
south towards Rehoboth Beach. The rink is located in the Midway
Shopping Center about 2 miles southeast of the intersection of
Rt's 1 and 9.
302-645-0463
Tues 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Wed 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Fri 7:30 PM - 11:00 PM
11:00 PM - 1:00 PM Late Skate
Sat 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
7:30 PM - 10:00 PM
10:00 PM - 12:00 PM Late Skate
Sun 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
USAC/RS Artistic, JO and Hockey Clubs?
According to the attendant, they don't have any specific adult sessions,
though the Friday and Saturday late skates have fewer children. The rink
is in a summer resort area, so beware of weekend traffic.
========================================================================
========================================================================
New Jersey (609) - South Jersey
Atlantic City, Camden, Trenton, Wildwood
Phone numbers and addresses checked against a CD-ROM directory 1/96,
RSA directory and USAC/RS directory.
This should be essentially all the roller rinks in the 609 area code.
====
Albion/Berlin, NJ 08009-9201
Cross Keys Skating Center
128 Cross Keys-Berlin Road
Albion is located southeast of Camden, along the Whitehorse Pike
Corridor. From I-295, get off at the Rt 30 - Whitehorse Pike exit
and head southeast on Rt 30 towards Berlin for about 8 miles. Just
past the Rt 524 - Clemmonton-Berlin Road intersection, you want to
turn right onto Berlin-Cross Keys Road. The rink should be about a
mile further on the right side, after Watsontown-New Freedom Road.
609-767-7815
Wed 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM Discount Night
Thurs 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM Adult-18+ Organ, Oldies, Big-Band, Rock
Fri 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM Adult-18+
Sat 12:30 AM - 2:30 PM
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
7:30 PM - 11:30 PM
Sun 12:30 AM - 2:30 PM
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Wood Floor
Snack Bar - Air Conditioned
In-Line Skates Permitted
RSA Member Rink
USAC/RS Artistic Coach
According to the attendant the music for the Thrusday evening adult
session is pretty mixed - the DJ will take requests or play music that
people bring. A friend who attended the session and said it was OK,
but nothing to get excited about.
====
Atlantic City, NJ 08401
Atlantic City Seaside Resort
Boardwalk
609-???-????
Proposed
There are plans to build a new Casino/Shopping mall complex in central
Atlantic City. The overall complex is described as an outlet mall,
with an assoicated hotel/casino, a multiplex theatre and a large roller
rink, and is to be located next to the Showboat Casino Hotel. The
theatre and roller rink are "community facilities" tied in with casino
community re-investment funding, so the rink will probably be a part of
the package, though it could quickly close or turn multi-function with
very limited skating hours if non-profitable.
The project has been mentioned in local papers since 1994-1995, but
according to the developer [June 1996], the project is underway, with
constuction to start in mid-1997 for a 1998 opening date. They said
it will include the roller rink and they have already made arrangements
with a rink operator. Approval for use of the re-invenstment funds was
granted in 1996, but the there's a catch - if the developer uses the
funds, then they have to include the "community facilities", however
if they hook up with a Casino/Hotel partner wiht the means to finance
the project without the re-investment money, then they can turn around
and build whatever they please...
====
Cape May, NJ 08204
Cape May Convention Hall
714 Beach Avenue
Cap May is a resort community located at the southern tip of New Jersey,
across the Delaware bay from Lewes, Delaware. Take the Garden State
Parkway to the southern end, then continue into Cape May on Layfayette
Street. Turn left on Ocean Street until it dead-ends at Beach Avenue,
turn turn left and the Convention Center should be a couple blocks off,
between Gurney Street and Stockton Place. A more lesiurely alternative
is to take the Cape May - Lewes ferry from Delaware, but be warned that
all routes involve summertime shore traffic delays.
609-884-9565
Wed 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Thurs 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Fri 10:00 AM - 12:00 noon Adult Skate (call)
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
6:30 PM - 9:00 PM Bring Your Own CD
Sat 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Sun 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
====
Carll's Corner/Bridgeton, NJ 08302
Skate World (was All-Skate Skating Center)
1748 Burlington Road off Rt 56
Bridgeton is located in South Jersey about 25 miles southeast of the
Delaware Memorial Bridge. From I-95, take US 40 northwest to Rt 77,
then head south on Rt 77 towards Bridgeton. About 3 miles outside o
Bridgton, Rt 77 merges with Rt 56 in a complex mess also involving
Rt 611 and Burlington Road. You want to bear left just prior to the
merge so that you can cross Rt 56 onto Burlington Road. The rink is
just ahead on the right, it's an industrial looking building, behind
the Police Station that's out on Rt 77.
609-453-0800
Mon 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM Christian Music Night (1st Mon only)
Wed 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM Family Night
Fri 7:30 PM - 11:00 PM Hip-Hop (aka Rap) Night
Sat 10:00 PM - 12:00 PM Kids Skate (11 and under)
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Open Matinee
7:30 PM - 10:00 PM Modern Rock/Alternative Music
Sun 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Open Matinee
Hardwood - 160 x 80 - rectangular
RSA Member RInk
This rink is only a half-hour south of the Delaware Memorial Bridge
but the feel is rural South Jersey. The rink was rennovated in
1994 and opened with a schedule including an Adult organ night.
Subsequently, the rink was sold and the manager departed for a new
rink in North Carolina. I haven't been there since, but from the
message on their tape, it sounds like a strictly for kids and teens
operation now, though there is probably a small artistic program.
====
Cherry Hill, NJ 08034
Cherry Hill Skating Center
665 Deer Road at Old Cuthbert Road
Cherry Hill is located in South Jersey, about 10 miles west of Camden.
From I-295, get off at the Rt 70 - Marlton Pike exit and head west on
Rt 70 towards Marlton. Take to first dog-leg to make a U-turn and
head back the othe other way on Rt 70 - you want to turn right onto
Old Cuthbert Road, which is just opposite where the exit ramp dumped
you onto Rt 70. Follow Old Curthbert road past the hotel and an
athletic club and about 3/4-mile further till you see a Gold Gym/
Max Fitness Center at the corner of Deer Road. Turn left and the
rink will be the third building back on the left.
609-795-1919(tape)/795-1909
Tues 9:45 AM - 11:45 AM Pre-school/Kindergarden Session
Wed 12:45 PM - 2:15 PM Pre-school/Kindergarden Session
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM Public Session
Thurs 12:45 PM - 2:15 PM Pre-school/Kindergarden Session
Fri 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM Public Session
7:30 PM - 11:00 PM Public Session - Top 40 music
Sat 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM Children & Parents Session
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Afternoon Session
7:30 PM - 11:00 PM Evening Session
Sun 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Afternoon Session
Wood Floor - Average Size
In-line skates permited and availabl for rent
RSA Member Rink
USAC/RS Artistic and JO Clubs
[ Rob Steuer - http://csac.rutgers.edu/users/steuer ]
Just for reference, the Cherry Hill Skating Center also allows in-line
skates, but it is usually WAY overcrowded and can be a little "wild".
Most of the lockers are broken, and the track is in really poor shape.
It's really not worth going to...
====
Delanco/Willingboro/Burlington, NJ 08075
Holiday Skating Center
1775 Creek Road
Delanco is located in South Jersey along the Delaware River at the
Rancocas Creek, between Camden and Burlington. Holiday is located
on River Road, which runs from Rt 130 west to Delanco. Heading North
on Rt 130, River Road is the first dog-leg after the hump bridge over
Rancocas Creek. Look for signs pointing towards the Motor Vehicle
Inspection lanes or the old Holiday Lake Park entrance and Ice Cream
Stand. After crossing Rt 130, make the first left and then as the
road bears to the right, the rink will be on the right hand side of
the road. Heading South, other than the Inspection Lane signs,
there aren't any really good landmarks until you're (oops) past
Creek Road, you have to turn just before the Wawa on the corner.
609-461-3770
Mon 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM Adult Coffee Session & Lessons
Tues 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM Adult-16/Organ Night
Wed 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM Adult Coffee Session & Lessons
6:30 PM - 9:30 PM Family Night w/DJ
Thurs 8:30 PM - 11:00 PM Organ Night - Tapes (seasonal)
Fri 7:30 PM - 11:00 PM DJ
Sat 10:00 AM - noon Tiny Tots
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Afternoon Skate Session
7:30 PM - 11:00 PM DJ
Sun 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Afternoon Skate Session
7:30 PM - 10:30 PM Organ Night
Hardwood - 200'x90' - Oval w/wood surround practice area
In-line Skates permitted and available for rent
RSA Member Rink
USAC/RS Artistic Club
This is perhaps the largest rink in the area. It's a bit longer and
much wider than usual and still has a large skatable seating area at
one end and wide seating/practice lane down one side. The rink was
completely sanded and resurfaced in Summer '93, which put it in like
new condition, though they also re-coat once or twice each year, prior
to springtime artistic competitions and sometimes also prior to the
fall "Evening of Champions" show.
The Tuesday session features live organ music by Bill Clark and is
fairly well attended by a mix of all ages. There are mid-session
and after session artistic dance specials. The Sunday night session
features music by his understudy Ron Baldwin. This session is less
crowded but more confused, what with kids present.
One downside is that this seems to be *the* hangout for smokers in the
area and while smoking is limited to certain areas of the snack bar,
there's not adequate ventilation to prevent the snack bar from becoming
a really odious smoke pit, especially the busy during break periods.
Better enforcement of the smoking zone and addition of a smoke-eater or
effective ventilation would be a major and much appreciated improvement.
[ Rob Steuer - http://csac.rutgers.edu/users/steuer ]
Another nice rink is the Holiday Skating Center (609-461-3770).
They also allow inline skates and the rink is very large. First
time I went I felt like a goldfish being put into a larger bowl!
They do rent inline skates but the adult session is just that,
anyone under 60 will feel out of place, also almost everyone has
rollerskates. Best bet would be a Friday or Saturday night when
some of the younger crowd is there with inline skates.
[ grr - update ]
The crowd on Tuesday nights does include skaters from 60 to 80+ YO
and while there aren't many 16-20 YO's, there are regular skaters
in the 20-30 and 30-40 age brackets. You do have to appreciate or
at least tolerate the Organ music though. The other evenings draw
a somewhat less senior weighted group.
There have also been more in-line skaters this winter, some who fit
well and have mentioned that this is a nicer place for adult in-line
skaters than some of the other local rinks. Some others didn't fit
so well and haven't been back, the adult sessions are the place for
indoor speed or hockey skating, or any kind of attitude.
They've also instituted an in-line hockey program as of fall 1995.
Hopefully this won't have too much of a negative impact on the
adult/artistic skating hours or the facility.
As of November 1996, Bill Clark announced his retirement. Bill has
been the organist at Holiday for the last 13 years and also played at
numerous other rinks in the area. The announced plan is that Ralph
Brown will play each Tuesday except the 3rd Tuesday of each month,
when Ron Baldwin will fill in.
====
Deptford/Woodbury, NJ 08096
Deptford Skating Center
Deptford and Cedar Avenues off Rt 47
Deptford is located in South Jersey, about 5 miles south of Camden.
From I-295 southbound, get off at exit 25 - Rt 47 - Delsea Drive
and head south on Delsea Drive. From I-295 northbound, you have
to get off at exit 23 - Rt 130 and head north though to Westville,
then at the second traffic circle, bear right onto Rt 47. From
the I-295/Rt 47 interchange area, continue south on Rt 47 for about
a mile to Deptford Avenue and turn right onto Deptford. The rink
will be on the right, at the corner of Cedar Avenue.
609-845-7353
Tues 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM Tot Session and Class
Wed 10:00 AM - 12:30 AM Adult Organ Music Session and Class
7:30 PM - 10:30 PM Country Dancing - Not Skating!
Fri 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM Public Skating
9:00 PM - 11:30 PM Public Skating
Sat noon - 2:30 PM Public Skating
2:30 PM - 4:30 PM Public Skating
7:30 PM - 12:30 AM Country Dancing - Not Skating!
Sun noon - 2:30 PM Public Skating
2:00 PM - 4:30 PM Public Skating
Wood Floor - Average Size
In-line skates permitted and availble for rent
RSA Member Rink
USAC/RS Artistic and JO Clubs
[ bill@franklin.com (bill) ]
just off 47 near 295. Besides having some good pros, its main claim to
fame is NO SMOKING, none at all in the building. Since most of the other
rinks tend to be smokeholes and I'm allergic to it, I really like that.
Unfortunately, it has a small floor that has definitely seen better days.
[ bensonr@condor.navsses.navy.mil - edited]
Looking for professional lessons in the South New Jersey area - free style,
dance or figures - check out the Deptford Skating Center in Deptford NJ.
The percentage of skaters that went to nationals was more than 80%.
We have the best free style coach in the country. He will teach you how
to do the jumps the right way and the spins are world class. Drop by and
see for yourself. We have a great club and people get along extremely well.
The free style coach is Bob Carrier. We could use some boys for the club,
but all are welcome.
====
Franklinville/Glassboro, NJ 08322
Franklin Skating Center
Delsea Drive - Route 47
Franklinville is located about 5 miles south of Glassboro on the
Delsea Drive - Rt 47 corridor. From I-295 get off at exit 26, head
south on Rt 42 and then take the first exit and head south on Rt 55
to exit 43. Turn right at the traffic light and the rink should be
about 2 miles south on Rt 47 - Delsea drive, on the left right before
you get into Franklinville.
609-694-0600
Tues 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM Coffee Skate & Lessons
Wed 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM Family Skate
Fri 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Sat 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Family Skate
8:00 PM - 11:30 PM Skating and Dancing
Sun 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM
8:00 PM - 12:00 PM Adult - Soul Night
RSA Member Rink
USAC/RS Artistic and JO Clubs
I've heard that this rink periodically has community relations problems
due to not having enough parking for the popular sessions, putting the
rink operator in the rather unusual position of discouraging business,
or alternatively, that they just have an attitude of some sort.
The rink is located right in or on the edge of a community and has only
a small parking lot, so I'd suggest arriving early and avoiding parking
in front of a residence or driveway.
I haven't gotten a chance to skate here, but the Sunday "Soul Night"
is reputed to be very popular among Philadelphia area black skaters,
though I don't know exactly what vintage of "Soul" they're playing.
====
Hammonton, NJ 08037
Rollway Roller Rink
South 2nd Road
Hammonton is located in South Jersey, about half-way between Philadelphia
and Atlantic City, along the US 322 - Black Horse Pike corridor. From
the Atlantic City Expressway, get of at exit 28 - Rt 54 and head north-
east towards Hammonton. South 2nd Road is the first street after the
interchange, turn right and you'll see the rink on the left side about
an eight of a mile ahead.
609-561-8061
Wed 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM After School Session
Fri 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Sat 2:00 PM - 4:30 PM
7:30 PM - midnite Country Dancing - Not Skating!
RSA Member Rink
====
Hurffville/Glassboro, NJ 08080-9182
Skater's Choice
150 Holley Dell Avenue
Glassboro is located in South Jersey about 20 miles south of Camden.
Skaters Choice is on Rt 47 between Hurffville and Glassboro. From
I-295 get off at exit 26, then head south on Rt 42 to the first exit,
and then head south on Rt 55 to exit 56 - Rt 47. Follow Rt 47 south
for about 4 miles, through Hurffville and look for the Holly Dell
Business Park sign - the rink is off the road and hard to spot coming
from Philly, but if you hit Glassboro you've gone too far.
609-582-0002
Mon 9:30 PM - 11:30 AM Tiny Tot and Preschool Session
Tues 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM Family Discount Night
Thurs 8:00 PM - 11:30 PM Adult-18 Nite - Club/dance DJ
Fri 7:30 PM - 11:30 PM Top-40
Sat 12:00 noon - 3:30 PM Matinee
7:30 PM - 12:30 AM Top-40
Sun 12:00 noon - 3:30 PM Matinee
*** additional weekday afternoon matinee sessions in the summer
Wood Floor - 180'x80' - Fair Condition
RSA Member Rink
I visited Skaters Choice on a Thursday night. A competent DJ kept things
moving, but was pretty much the same music and same crowd as other Philly
area rinks. The area adult/disco skaters hit Skaters Choice, The Palace,
Villanova and The Parkway rinks, whichever has an adult session on a given
evening, while the adult/organ music skaters hit Holiday, Skaters Choice,
Caln, Shillington and so on.
The floor is mixed blessings - it's large, well laid and has a nice
finish, but it's badly dinked, as if every dent or scrape over the past
30 years has been preserved, rather than smoothed out. Actually from
what I understand, the owner used to be proud of the floor, but hockey
play was a business neccessity and if they hockey players chewed up the
floor, that was unfortunate. I guess you could get used to the floor,
or maybe not notice it with wider wheels, but I found it irritating.
It'd be a lot nicer sanded down and refinished. There'a also a small
practice area or dance floor with a wood parquet floor and mirrors.
One note is that this place might as well be called Smoker's Choice,
there are no smoking restrictions in the building and the smokers are
there to take advantage of this. On the other hand, it may not be
quite as bad was where smokers are restricted to a snack bar or other
concentrated area. Wheels also tend to get dirty quickly, though I
think the culprit is the carpet in the snack bar/party area rather
than the floor itself.
[grr]
Unfortunately, the story is that the organ music session is going to
be canceled as of 10/2/96. There were rumors that it would be moved
to another day, but the attendent says that there aren't any firm
plans for doing so, so you I guess you can chalk up another victim of
the roller hockey boom. On the other hand, they've started making
some improvements to the rink, including new barriers and recoating
the floor.
====
Marleton, NJ 08053
Evesham Skating Center
471 Evesboro-Medford Road
Marleton is located in South Jersey about 15 miles east of Camden,
near the end of the Rt 70 expressway, east of the New Jersey turnpike.
Proceed east through Marlboro on Rt 70, towards Medford. About 3 miles
or 6 traffic lights east of the Rt 73 intersection in Evesham, there is
a diagonal intersection with Evesboro-Medford road cutting back to the
left. Turn left here, the rink is about 3/4-mile west on the left side
of the road, between Sharps Run Road and Elmwood Road.
609-983-3500
Mon 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM Tiny Tot Class
Tues 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM Family Discount Night
Wed 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM Tiny Tot Class
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM Afternoon Session (October to ?)
Fri 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM Adult Coffee & Cake Session w/Lesson
7:30 PM - 11:30 PM Public Session
Sat 10:00 PM - noon Children's Session (10 & under)
noon - 1:00 PM Children's Class
1:00 PM - 3:30 PM Afternoon Matinee
2:30 PM - 5:00 PM Afternoon Matinee
7:30 PM - 11:00 PM Public Session
10:00 PM - 1:00 AM Public Session (may end at midnite)
Sun 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM Afternoon Matinee
2:30 PM - 5;00 PM Afternoon Matinee
Wood Floor - 185'x85' - Good Condition
Snack Bar - Skate Shop - Games - Air Conditioned
In-line skates permitted
RSA Member Rink
USAC/RS Artistic and JO Clubs
[ Rob Steuer - http://csac.rutgers.edu/users/steuer ]
Evesham is fairly large, almost the size of the Holiday Skating Center.
The rink has more rollerskaters, but inline skates have a definite
presence. On a Saturday night it's actually not too crowded and it's
great for going fast and getting a little crazy with tricks. The music
is a combo of rock and club dance type music so it keeps you going
pretty well, the DJ's do a good job. They also set aside about 15
minutes near the end of the session for people to take their skates
off and dance on the floor, makes for a nice change of pace.
[ grr ]
Evesham was one of those local rinks that I'd never gotten around to
visiting, becuase they don't have any adult-oriented sessions, except
for a Friday daytime session. I finally visited to catch the special
described below and was somewhat pleasantly suprised.
The floor is larger than average, though not as large as the floor at
Holiday. I'd like to say it's in good condition, but it's kind of a
mixed bag. The main track is in very good condition, with only a little
ripple on the ends. However the center third, where the figure circles
are located, is faily badly washboarded. Since the rink is wide enough,
this doesn't present any problem for recreational skating, but for dance
or practicing freestyle moves or figures in the center it's no fun...
Overall the rink is in decent condition, a little run-down, but it looks
like they were making some renovations, including replacing the carpet
in the seating area. They have a variety of low-tech lighting effect
including rotating spot-lights and three mirrored turrets. There were
also some strobes and colored beam projectors and other devices. I don't
know if they were dead or the DJ just didn't feel like activating them.
The sound system was pretty good, multiple speaker boxes set into the
suspended ceiling matrix.
The rink has a skate shop, though it's mostly a display window, with
a "invitation only" shop/store-room off the office. There's the usual
snack bar and some seating/party table area.
There's a twice yearly shuffle skating reunion held at the rink -
"The Evesham Jam" put on by one of the rinks ex-DJ's. The music focus
is 70-80's shuffle skating favorites including The Sugarhill Gang,
The Gap Band, Bohannon, Grandmaster Flash, KC & The Sunshine Band and
the like.
See http://cygnus.rsabbs.com/~frenz/jam.html for event information.
====
Mays Landing, NJ 08330
Young's Skating Center (and Lenape Park)
Park Road - Lenape Park
Mays Landing is located in South Jersey, about 20 miles northeast
of Atlantic City. From the Philadelphia area, take the Atlantic City
Expressway, get of at exit 17W - Rt 50 and head southwest on Rt 50 for
about 4 miles into Mays Landing. At Fifth Street, turn right and then
bear a bit to left at the 3-way intersection onto Mill Road. After a
couple blocks, turn right onto Park Road and follow this around the
lake. The rink will be on your left just before the "Dead End" sign.
609-625-1191/625-2021
Thurs 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Fri 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Sat 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
8:30 PM - 10:30 PM
Sun 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Wood Floor - Large?
Air Conditioned
RSA Member Rink
USAC/RS Artistic/Hockey Coaches
[ (Lou Brooks) nutwerk@acy.digex.net ]
Here's one for your Eastern Region rinks, although I haven't been yet, but
will try to check it out for you...
[ grr ]
This rink is now owned by the couple who previously operated the Villanova
skating rink, that rink is now operated by the same people who operate the
Parkway rink near Atlantic City.
According to rumor, they have replaced old Mays Landing linoleum floor with
a new wood floor. No adult nights at present.
====
Pleasantville/Atlantic City, NJ 80232-9601
Parkway Skating Center
3133 Fire Road, Between Tilton & Hingston Ave.
From that Atlatic City Expressway, get off at the Garden State Parkway
South exit and then get off the Parkway at the second exit, exit 36 -
Rt 322/40 Black Horse Pike. The exit drops you onto Tilton Road, at
the traffic light, turn right onto Fire Road and the rink will be about
a quarter mile down on the right. The building is a fairly blank white
brick structure, the entrance and parking lot is hidden around back
abutting the Parkway.
609-383-1800/383-1881
Tues 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM Family Night
Thurs 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM Adult Coffee Session - Light Rock
6:30 PM - 9:00 PM Family Night
Fri 8:00 PM - 11:30 PM Evening Skate
Sat 8:00 PM - 11:30 PM Evening Skate (except Summer?)
Sun 1:30 PM - 5:00 PM Matinee Session(s)
8:00 PM - 11:00 PM Adult-18 Skate - DJ Top-40/Dance Music
Hardwood - about 160 x 80 - oval
Inlines permitted after inspection
RSA Member Rink
USAC/RS Artistic and JO Clubs
This rink is just outside the Atlantic City metropolitan area. You'd
think you're in rural South Jersey, but you're right at the intersection
of the Garden State Parkway and the Atlantic City Expressway, so plan
around beach traffic. I recognized a lot of skaters from Philadelphia
area rinks (50 miles away), but I don't know if this is just the Sunday
summer skate, or they're also catching a day at the shore.
Anyway, the rink itself is a nice modern style rink, pleasant and in
good condition. The floor is in good shape, although not as smooth
as some other rinks in the area. The music is advertised as "light
rock", but it's really Top-40 with some club/R&B and skating favorites
mixed in, not much different that what the DJ's are doing for adult
sessions at other area rinks.
I was a bit worried the place might be over-strict, since they had all
kinds of signs warning about cars being locked-in and towed 15-minutes
after session, but everyone working at the rink turned out to be quite
pleasant, so I guess that's just to discourage people from hanging out
in the lot the after session to stretch out a day at the shore till the
last possible hour. The crowd was well mixed, and I had a pretty good
time, even it it was a miserable two-hour rainy drive back home.
This rink has an organ alongside the floor and an active artistic
club/program, but no regularly scheduled artistic sessions.
====
Tuckerton, NJ 08087-2619
Tuckerton Skateway
201 East Main Street
Tuckerton is located along the South Jersy coast, on the bay side
of the Long Beach Island area. From the Garden State Parkway, get
of at exit 52 - US 9 and head on east on Rt 9 for about 5 miles
to Tuckertown. The rink should be on the left, one block after
the Rt 539 intersection.
609-296-0809
Fri 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Sat 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM Family Session
Sun 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM Faimly Session
RSA Member Rink
====
Voorhees, NJ 08043-1759
AJ Hounds Roller Rink (aka Hounds Pound)
333 Preston Ave
From I-295, head southeast on Rt 30 - The Whitehorse Pike. Cross
under the NJ Turnpike, then turn left on Evesham Road. Preston
will be the second right after an open area, the rink should be
about 4 blocks down.
609-427-4141
Fri 9:00 PM - 11:00 PM Public Session
Sat 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM Public Session
8:30 PM - 11:00 PM Public Session
Sun 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Public Session
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM Public Session
(** public sessions may be pre-empted by roller hockey events! **)
Concrete - Hockey Size
Indoor - Hockey
This rink was built in 1995 as an indoor roller hockey rink, with
boards and a plexiglass surround, and is part of the Coliseum Ice
Center complex.
Although primarily a hockey rink, the Pound also has public skating
sessions, but these can be pre-empted by roller hockey tournements.
====
Voorhees, NJ 08043-2108
Echelon Skating Center
1140 White Horse Road
The rink is supposed to be near the Echelon Mall in Voorhees township.
From I-295, head southeast on Rt 30 - The White Horse Pike for about
3-1/2 miles then turn left onto White Horse Road go a couple miles
further. The rink will be on the left, just before the big Bally
Fitness Center. There's a small lighted sign at the drive, but the
rink building itself is very plain and dark as seen from the road.
609-346-1335/346-0055
Thurs 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM Adult 18+ Nite - Top 40
Fri 7:30 PM - 11:00 PM Public Skating - Top 40
Sat 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Public Skating - Top 40
7:30 PM - 11:00 PM Public Skating - Top 40
Sun 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Public Skating - Top 40
*** schedule varies somewhat seasonally
Wood Floor - 160'x76' - Rounded Corners - Smooth - Very Good Condition
Skate Shop - Snack Bar - Games - Air Conditioned
In-line Skates permitted
RSA Member Rink
USAC/RS Speed and Hockey Clubs
[ Rob Steuer - http://csac.rutgers.edu/users/steuer ]
One of my favorites is the Echeleon Skating Center (609-346-1335).
Thursday night from 8 to 11pm is best as that is 18 and over night,
no kiddies! They used to rent inline skates, but I'm not sure if
they still do. Inline skates are allowed though, in fact, a lot
of the speed skaters practice there during certain hours for racing.
You'll see lots of people from really BAD to "Geez, why aren't they
in the olympics!"
[ grr@tharsis.com ]
I stopped in at Echelon on a mid-August Thursday night to check out
the adult session, but found it almost deserted. When I arrived in
the middle of the session, there were only about a dozen people there
and only one or two skating, despite decent music. It averaged about
four people on the floor the rest of the session. According to the
manager, the session does start to pick up again in September.
Although this rink is only average size, it has a very nice floor.
It's quite smooth and clean, with only a tiny bit of washboarding in
the center area. Even so, there was a note saying that they were
planning on refinishing it in a couple of weeks. The sound system is
pretty good and the DJ was doing an reasonable job despite the lack
of any excitement out on the floor.
There were a variety of strobes, spots lights, neon, a mirror ball
array and other relatively low-tech effects, but these were essentially
inactive. Overall the rink stayed rather dark, I prefer a bit better
lighting in an unfamiliar rink, except for the slow/romantic numbers.
There's a very 70's mural around the far end of the rink. The floor
surround is carpeted and there's a very healthy number of tables in
the party area. The snack bar and skate shop counter were well lit
and attractive.
Because of the small crowd, the single skate guard spent most of his
time puttering around the snack bar and cleaning up, so I don't know
how strict rule enforcement normally is, certainly nobody was objecting
to anything I did.
========================================================================
New Jersey (908) - Central and Western Areas
Elizabeth, New Brunswick
Phone numbers and addresses checked against a CD-ROM directory 1/96,
RSA directory and USAC/RS directory.
This should be essentially all the roller rinks in the 609 area code.
====
Bridgewater/Somerville, NJ 08807
Extremes
Chimney Rock Road
On Chimney Rock Road, off of Route 22 East near the I-287 interchange.
908-560-0005
Mon 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tues 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wed 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thurs 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Fri 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
8:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Sat noon - 11:00 PM
Sun noon - 11:00 PM
Large Floor - 180 x 85
Opening in May
In-lines permitted and for rent
[ mins@cnj.digex.net (timothy mizerak) ]
On March 23 a brand new rink specifically for inline skating will be
opening in Bridgewater, NJ. The place is called Extremes! and will
feature a large floor (185 x 85), an aggressive course, a pro shop,
snack bar, group lessons, etc.
The rink is right where Route 287 and Route 22 intersect, on the East-
bound side of Rt 22.
[grr]
From their taped message, it isn't clear whether they're open yet, as
of April '96. They are positioning themselves as an indoor in-line /
roller hockey facility with an indoor "street" skating course, so it's
hard to tell what if any conventional skating might be available. I'd
regard the schedule above as a tentative "facility open" schedule, since
there's probably going to be after-school and day time hockey in addition
to whatever they've planned in the evenings.
[ lucky@hclibr.eclipse.net (Rufus Chintendrils) ]
I just called to get info, here it is:
185' X 85' inline rink
half pipe, rails, etc. for extreme skating
party rooms
opening in about a week, call to verify [late April or May...]
See you there, Rufus
====
Broadway, NJ 08808
Villa Roller Rink
State Highway 57 in Broadway
Broadway is located in northwestern New Jersey, about 12 miles east
of Easton, Pennsylvania. From I-78, get off at exit 17 - Rt 31 and
take Rt 31 north for about 10 miles into Washington, then take Rt 57
west for about 4 miles to Broadway. The rink should be on the left
side, just before the main intersection.
908-689-6155
Wed 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM Adult Nite - Oldies 50's-70's
Fri 7:30 PM - 11:00 PM
Sat 7:30 PM - 11:00 PM
Sun 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Family Session
USAC/RS Hockey Club
====
Eatontown, NJ 07724
Eatontown Roller Skating Center
97-105 State Highway 35
Eatontown is located in the North Jersey shore area, just inland
from Long Branch. From the Garden State Parkway, get off at
exit 105 - Rt 36 and head eastwards towards Long Branch, for about
a mile, then go around the traffic circle to head north on Rt 35.
The rink should be about a quarter-mile north on the right.
908-542-5858/542-5891
Fri 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Sat ? - ?
Sun 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM
In-line skates permitted and for rent
RSA Member Rink
USAC/RS JO and Speed Clubs
Sessions are weekend only, though the schedule may change in the summer
months. Eatontown also has a roller-hockey program.
====
Edison/New Brunswick, NJ 08820-3504
United Skates of America Skating Center
89 Wood Avenue at Oaktree Road
Edison is about 5 miles northwest of New Brunswick, off Garden State
Parkway exit 131. Head southwest on Rt 27 - Lincoln Highway, after
a few blocks turn right onto Wood Ave. The rink should be a few
blocks further, in the Oaktree Shopping Center at the intersection
with Oaktree Road.
908-494-6655/494-6656
Mon 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
7:30 PM - 9:30 PM Christian Music
Wed 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Family Session
9:00 PM - 1:00 AM Adult-21+ Session - Top 40
Sun 10:00 AM - noon
12:30 PM - 3:30 PM
3:30 PM - 6:00 PM
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM Lessons?
9:00 PM - 12:00 PM Adult session
(** more sessions Thursday and Friday **)
I've heard that the Wednesday adult session is supposed to be good.
One oddity is that adults pay $1.00 more than kids for any session!
====
Frenchtown, NJ 08825
Frenchtown Roller Rink
State Highway 29
Frenchtown is located in northwestern New Jersey, along the Delaware
River, about 15 miles south of Easton, Pennsylvania. From US 202, get
off at the Rt 12 - Lambertville exit, and head east on Rt 12 for about
12 miles to Frenchtown, the rink should be nearby on State Highway 29.
908-996-6313
Wed 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Thurs 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Fri 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
9:30 PM - midnite
Sat 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
8:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Sun 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
RSA Member Rink
USAC/RS Artistic, JO and Speed Clubs
====
Hackettstown, NJ 07840-2514
Hackettstown Family Skating Center
13 State Highway 57
Hackettstown is located in northwestern New Jersey, about 20 miles
east of the Delaware Water Gap area. From I-80, get off at exit 19 -
Rt 517 and head south on Rt 517 for about 5 miles to Hackettstown.
Bear left onto US 46 - Main Street and head southeast for a few
blocks, then bear right onto Rt 182 - Mountain Avenue for about a
mile, then bear right onto State Highway 57. The rink should be
along Rt 57, probably a few miles down near the airport.
908-852-8155
Wed 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
7:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Fri 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
7:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Sat 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
7:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Sun 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
RSA Member Rink
USAC/RS Artistic Coaches
As of January 1996, this rink is closed due to roof damage from the
winter blizzard. They've since reopened with their normal activities,
which include roller skating, roller hockey, speed skating and skate
park.
====
Jackson/Lakewood, NJ 08527-2255
Jackson Skating Center (Roller Magic)
2270 West County Line Rd
Jackson is northwest of Lakewood. From the I-195 "Great Adventure"
spur, get off at exit 21 and head south on County Road 527. The first
left will be West County Line, the rink may be here, or further east
on the continuation across Jackson Mills-Freehold road.
908-363-2222
Wed 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Fri 4:00 PM - 12:00 PM overlapping 2-3 hour sessions
Sat 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM overlapping 2-3 hour sessions
Sun 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM overlapping 2-3 hour sessions
RSA Member Rink
USAC/RS Artistic and JO Clubs
[ VLABE@emshq.mhs.compuserve.com (Vito Labella) ]
Jackson has no adult session, mostly Rounders and Hockey.
====
Kendall Park/New Brunswick, NJ 08824-1050
Kendall Park Roller Rink
3550 State Highway 27
Kendall Park is about 10 miles southwest of New Brunswick along the
Route 1/Route 27 corridor. From the New Jersey Turnpike exit 8A,
head west on Rt 32, then north on US 130. Turn left onto Monmouth
Junction Road, right onto New Road, cross US 1 and eventually turn
right onto Rt 27. Alternatively, you might want to take US 206 to
Princton, and then Rt 27 north from there.
908-297-3003/297-3776
Tues 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM CCDC Gay Skate (3rd Tuesday only)
Wed 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM Family Sesson - pre-teen & parents
Thurs 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM Open Skating
Fri 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM Family Session - pre-teen & parents
8:30 PM - 11:00 PM Open Skating
Sat 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Open Skating
7:30 PM - 10:30 PM Open Skating
Sun 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Open Skating
8:30 PM - 11:00 PM Rap & Soul Session
RSA Member Rink
USAC/RS Artistic and JO Clubs
[ VLABE@emshq.mhs.compuserve.com (Vito Labella) ]
Kendall Park skating club is mostly freestyle - good coaches
Sha-Ron or Harold.
[ web gleanings ]
On the third Tuesday of each month, the Community Center Development
Committee of the Personal Liberty Fund (CCDC) holds a Gay and Lesbian
Roller Skating Night at the Kendall Park Rink. Call 908-846-2232 for
more information about the CCDC.
====
Lakewood/Jersey Shore, NJ 08701
Skate Arena
300 Rt 70
Lakewood is located in the North Jersey seashore area, but a bit inland.
From the Garden State Parkway, get off at exit 88 - Rt 70 and head west
on Rt 70. The rink should be about 2 miles west on the left side, just
before the US 9 intersection.
908-363-5583
Tues 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Thurs 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Fri 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Sat 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
8:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Sunday 7:00 PM - 10:30 PM Ballroom Dance (not Skating!)
Nice Hardwood Floor - Oval - No coin lockers
Inlines Permitted??? - Leather Quads for Rent
Reasonable Rule Enforcement
USAC/RS Artistic and JO Clubs
[ JDFulton@aol.com (John Fulton) ]
Skate Arena is a nice place to skate. The floor is smooth as glass, the
ambiance fine. What it lacks is customers. We skated on a Saturday night,
albeit in the summer, and the place was practically deserted. This may
explain the lack of a fancy sign on the highway, the gravel parking lot
and the skate-less dancing sessions that presumably are needed to help pay
the rent. While I didn't miss the swerving, shoving, racing teen-agers who
can turn sessions at some rinks into survival lessons. But facts is facts -
those hordes pay the rent and then some.
The rink has a good-sized lobby, which feeds directly into the front of
the hall. To the right is the office, to the left the eating area and then
the snack bar. Along the left side are changing benches, but the rental
lockers are near the office on the right side. There are no coin-operated
lockers, only key lockers that are rented out annually.
Lessons are available from a highly qualified instructor.
[ VLABE@emshq.mhs.compuserve.com (Vito Labella) ]
Lakewood caters to club members only - no artistic night
====
South Amboy, NJ 08879
South Amboy Roller Rink (aka Roller Magic Arena)
North Stevens Ave at 6th Street
South Amboy is on the Raritan Bay, just across from the southern
end of Staten Island - exit 125 on the Garden State Parkway. From
the exit, head south on US 9, after about a mile, turn left onto
Ridgeway. After crossing over railyards, this turns into North
Stevens Avenue. The rink should be a block further at 6th Street.
908-727-1122
Mon 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM Adult Morning Session - Organ Music?
Wed 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM Adult Morning Session - Organ Music?
Thurs 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
7:30 PM - 10:30 PM Adult Session - Organ Music (cancelled)
Fri 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
7:30 PM - 10:30 PM
9:00 PM - 12:00 PM
Sat 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM
1:00 PM - 3:30 PM
2:30 PM - 5:00 PM
8:00 PM - 11:00 PM
9:00 PM - 12:00 PM
Sun 12:30 PM - 3:00 PM
2:00 PM - 4:30 PM
3:30 PM - 6:00 PM
RSA Member Rink
According to someone on AOL, the Thursday session was cancelled to make
time for some roller hockey teams, though one or both of the adult
moning sessions may still be organ music. I've heard that this is a
relatively small rink.
[ mechlyn@aol.com (Michelle Brown) - edited ]
I skated an organ session in South Amboy on Wednesday. They don't
have a club anymore, but is a fairly nice rink. They have an organ
session for the "old timers" as they call them.
====
Union/Union County/Newark, NJ 07083-6800
Skate 22
1235 West Chestnut Street off Route 22
Union is south of Newark, along the Garden State Parkway. Get off
at exit 140 and head west on Rt 22, about a mile down, make a sharp
right onto Chestnut Street, the rink should be almost at the corner.
908-686-6838
Tuesday 9:00 PM to 1:00 AM Adult Skate
Good Hardwood Floor - Practice Area
Inlines Permitted ?? - Suede Leather Quads for rent
[ JDFulton@aol.com (John Fulton) ]
This rink has a large practice area with only one entrance, a good
feature, but with a low wall overlooking the rink which tends to
attract spectators.
The rink is a little difficult to find because of competing signs on
Route 22, a busy shopping-strip highway.
At the Saturday night session we attended over a Labor Day weekend,
the two friendly floor guards maintained order while allowing skaters
the freedom to skate backward. We enjoyed ourselves immensely, even
though we had to endure a lengthy weapons search at the entrance. The
clientelle present at this session was predominantly African-American.
[grr: a glance at a NJ map suggests this rink would serve both Newark
and the Oranges, though it's not really part of either area]
========================================================================
*************************************************************************
* Neighborhood/Rink Safety Notes *
*************************************************************************
* *
* Specific skating rinks in this section are tagged as *NOT* being *
* located in in good neighborhoods or suffering from other potential *
* personal safety problems. *
* *
* If you choose to visit them, please take appropriate precautions *
* for your own safety and peace of mind. See the safety section in *
* the overview posting for some specific cautions and suggestions. *
* *
*************************************************************************
New Jersey (201) - North Jersey
Newark, Hackensack, Jersey City, Patterson
Phone numbers and addresses checked against a CD-ROM directory 1/96,
RSA directory and USAC/RS directory.
This should be essentially all the roller rinks in the 609 area code.
====
Bellville/Newark, NJ 07104
Branch Brook Roller Rink
7th and Clifton Avenues - Branch Brook Park
The rink appears to be at the extreme southern end of the park,
on Clifton Avenue just north of the I-280 interchange.
201-482-8900
Daily 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Thurs 9:30 PM - 1:00 AM Adult-21+ Session
Sat 9:30 PM - 2:00 AM Adult-21+ Session
Wood Floor - 160'x80'
This is an indoor roller rink built by the Newark City and Essex County
goverments and operated by United Skates of America. The roller rink
replaces a municipal ice rink that burned down some years ago, but
the opening was delayed until mid-1996 due to changes in the city
administration and difficulty in finding an operator for the rink.
The rink features a pro shop, skate rental area, refreshment stands,
room for private parties, vending machines and a game area.
The rink is open seven days a week, with late skates for adults 21 and
older with valid ID. Everyone coming into the rink also must pass
through a metal detector for security reasons.
====
Bergenfield/Bergen County/North Jersey, NJ 07621-4316
The Rink
450 South Washington Ave (Teaneck Rd)
From either I-95 or the Garden State Parkway, take Route 4, get off
at the Teaneck Road exit and head north towards Bergenfield. Teaneck
Road changes into South Washington Ave and the rink is located about
2 miles north of Rt 4, on the left side. There's a small lighted
sign by the road.
201-384-5000(schedule)/384-2474
Fri 3:30 PM - 6:00 PM
7:00 PM - 11:00 PM Christian Music Night (Summer???)
Sat 3:30 PM - 6:00 PM
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
10:00 PM - 2:00 AM Adult Only (Funk/Rap DJ) - Except Summer!
Sun 12:30 PM - 3:00 PM
3:30 PM - 6:00 PM
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Family Night
9:00 PM - midnight Adult Only (DJ Charlie Caz)
** additional weekday 3:30 PM - 6:00 PM session in the summer - call
Hardwood - Center Island - Practice Area(s)
Inlines Permitted - Rented???
Flexible Rule Enforcement
RSA Member Rink
[ grr@tharsis.com ]
Reports are that the hours have been cut back due to community
objections to late night activity. I still haven't been there,
but some folks that have say that the Rink is much further down
the Rap vs. Dance side of the music spectrum than other area rinks.
[ JDFulton@aol.com (John Fulton) ]
The Rink's exterior is well-maintained, and so is the parking lot.
The pavement is in excellent shape, the spaces are clearly marked,
and the lighting more than adequate. There are ample parking spaces,
or so it might seem -- but the lot does fill up.
The Rink is a prosperous business, and the packed schedule reflects
that. Clearly, the owners know what they are doing -- but they aren't
overly concerned with the food they serve. It is edible but....
In an unusual twist, the center of the skating floor is fenced with
a brass railing. There is seating at either end of the oval, and in
the middle, in a high red booth, sits the DJ. One of the ends is
carpeted, but the other has been turned into a small practice floor
lined with a U-shaped bench. The effect is rather elegant.
The offbeat design continues beyond the floor, in that the skating
floor is sunken. Put another way, you have to step down to enter the
skating floor. While that presents no difficulty for an experienced
skater, it can be intimidating for a novice skater.
One of the Rink's strong points is its provisions for practice. It has
two practice areas. One is a small triangle that is nearly worthless,
in large part because it overlooks the main skating area and, so, is
often lined with spectators. But the other practice area, a generous
size rectangle, is a gem. Only a small section overlooks the main rink
and, consequently, only that section becomes cluttered with spectators.
Much of the rest is lined with flexible walls covered with carpeting.
Rarely is the practice area too crowded to use. However, it is in
almost constant use by skaters actually practicing.
The music at the adult sessions is largely black/urban, and the night
I went, the disc jockey was African-American. I saw no violence nor
incidents. What I saw, instead, was a mixed group of very skilled
skaters, many middle-aged, skate-dancing at moderate speed -- and
enjoying the late-night hors d'oeuvres. The average skill level was
high indeed.
While on the subject of the adult sessions, it should be noted that the
Rink allows smoking in a designated area during the adult sessions only.
When children and teens are skating, smoking is strictly prohibited.
There is, however, a covered porch at the entrance, and smokers sometimes
congregate there during juvenile and evening sessions.
The rest of the rink is fairly typical. There are video game machines,
candy machines, change machines, and rental lockers. Group and private
lessons are available, but the group lessons are pricey. The sound
system is adequate; the floor has some instructional markings for skaters
practicing their edges, but not a full set.
[grr]
I drove up to the Rink one evening only to find they'd cancelled the
"big" Saturday night adult session for the Summer. I guess I should
have called first... Also Friday night was supposed to be a late
adult skate, but is not Christian music night, not sure whether this
is a summer modification or a format change. Some of the afternoon
sessions in the summer are "rainy day" only, so call.
====
Florham Park/Morristown/Morris County, NJ 07932
Florham Park Skating Center
192 Ridgedale Avenue at Columbia
Florham Park is located between Morristown and Newark on the old
Columbia Turnpike. From either I-78 or I-287, take Rt 24 to exit
2B, go 5 traffic lights and make a right, the rink is on the left
at the intersection of the the Clolumbia Turnpike and Ridgedale
avenue, right in Florham Park.
201-377-0465
Tues 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Wed 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Thurs 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM Organ Night (Live 1st & 3rd)
Fri 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Sat 10:00 AM - noon
1:00 PM - 3:30 PM
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Sun 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Beech Wood Floor - Medium Size - No Practice Area
"Rink Safe" In-lines permitted and available for rent
Posted Rules Strictly Enforced
USAC/RS Artistic and JO Clubs
[ ocfernan@MailBox.Syr.Edu (Orlando C. Fernando) - edited ]
Florham Park is a moderate sized rink. Skate direction and type are
designated by lighted signs in the rink. Mostly Top-40 music on prime
time. Rentals are available.
[ segot@segot.gti.net (Chris Segot) ]
The Florham Park Roller Rink in Florham Park NJ was established in 1937
and has continued to operate at full speed to this day. We continue to
excel in parties for all ages as well as our public sessions, run hockey
camps ad clinics, and have had a resurgence in our artistic program.
We still try to operate our rink to high standards and hope to continue
and support the sport of roller skating. If you are in the area and
want to stop by our phone is 201-377-0465.
[ Chris is the Manager at the rink ]
[ sbartell@worldnet.att.net (Scott Bartell) - edited ]
Florham Park installed a brand new wooden surface (beech wood) in
August '95. There are now 3 sets of standard figure circles, 2 loops
and it is plenty big for dance. There are both standard USAC and JO
clubs. The paint scheme is gray with flourescent striping that will
soon be accented with black lights. No pro shop as of yet, but there
is now a professional on staff. The sound system was recently upgraded
also.
Rules are strictly enforced. Group lessons are on Saturday mornings and
private lesson are by appointment. There is a large party business and
the rink is available for rental. The rink is in a safe area, with a
well lit parking lot.
[ sbartell@worldnet.att.net (Scott Bartell) - update ]
Ron Baldwin of the Holiday Skating Center will be playing the organ at
our rink every 1st & 3rd Thursday of the month. Also Stephanie Walker
has joined the professional staff to teach free style, while I will be
teaching figures and dance.
[ Scott is the Head Professional at Florham Park ]
====
Montvale, NJ 07645
The Rink (aka Montvale Hockey Rink)
1A Chestnut Ridge Rd, off GSP exit 172
Montvale is located in northeastern New Jersey, almost on the New York
border. From the Garden State Parkway, get off at exit 172 and head
south on Chestnut Ridge Road. The rink should be about a mile from
the interchange, nearly alongside the Parkway.
201-391-9068
Tues 7:15 PM - 8:00 PM Group Lesson
8:00 PM - 11:00 PM Artistic Session - Live Organ Music
Wed 3:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Thurs 3:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Fri 3:30 PM - 6:00 PM
7:30 PM - 11:00 PM Teen Night
Sat 12:00 PM - 2:30 PM
3:30 PM - 6:00 PM
9:30 PM - 11:00 PM
Sun 12:00 PM - 2:30 PM
3:30 PM - 6:00 PM
7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Hardwood Floor - 100'x200' - Pratice Area
Snack Bar
USAC/RS JO, Speed and Hockey Clubs
[ 75275.1351@compuserve.com (Francis M. Barton) - edited ]
The Rink in Montvale, New Jersy is a fine roller rink, with a hardwood
floor approximately 100 x 200 feet, and also a practice area. They
have an excellent organist and professional staff. There is a full
service snack bar.
Bill Fellows plays the organ each Tuesday evening, with the exception
of the third Tuesday of the month when he has commitments at another
rink. On that day, they play his tapes. Bill's playing is excellent,
he's one of the top rink organists in the area.
Bill and his sister Rose are also professionals at the rink. He usually
teachs the group class before the Tuesday session. This is a friendly
group of people with a lot of old-time skaters from years ago. Rose
fills in on the off Tuesdays. Both are of them are excellent teachers,
they competed in International Style dance skating and stress this style
in their classes.
Don't bother with the other North Jersey rinks, just come to The Rink
in Montvale!
[ aboulanger@ldeo.columbia.edu (Albert Boulanger) ]
Unfortunatly this rink does not have an adult sesssion with contemporary
dance music. Too bad -- it is run by the same people who run The Rink
in Bergenfield.
[grr]
According to the attendant they also have a Roller Hockey league. They
are listed as The Montvale Hockey Rink in some in-line hockey lists.
====
Wallington, NJ 07057
Inline Skating Club (was Wallington Skating Rink)
Wallington is located in North Jersey, just east of Passaic.
Main Avenue
201-473-8900
Fri 3:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Sat 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Sun 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Mostly Hockey
[ JDFulton@aol.com (John Fulton) - edited ]
The former Wallington Skating Rink has now reopened after having endured
the indignity of being first a batting cage place and then a paintball
war zone. The inside is nicely cleaned up, but the parking lot and the
driveway are somewhat holey. The old maple floor has been restored and
is now lined by a hockey-style barrier - half plywood/half plexiglas.
The rink is now a club of some sort (with, I gather, a $10 annual fee)
and is called something like the Inline Skating Club of America. I
haven't skate there, but I escorted a couple of Girl Scouts to a town
wide Girl Scout skate, and the kids seemd to be having a great time.
[grr]
According to the attendant, the rink has been open about a year and is
mostly a roller hockey facility. They do have limited open skating on
weekends, the hours indicated kiddy matinee sessions.
====
Wayne/Paterson/North Jersey, NJ 07470
Skaters World Roller Rink
Hamburg Turnpike at Valley Road
Wayne is located in northeastern New Jersey about 25 miles west of
New York City. The rink is actually a bit north of Wayne, where
the Wayne-Paterson suburbs abut on some hill and lake countryside.
From I-80, get off at the US 202/Rt 23 exit and head north on Rt 23
for about 3 miles, to the tangle where US 202 and Rt 23 diverge.
Turn right onto Rt 504 - Ratzer road and head east on Ratzer for
about two miles, then turn left to head north on Valley road for
about a half-mile, then left again onto the Hamburg Turnpike. The
rink is in the old Ramapo Shopping Center, which will be set back
off the road a little ways on the the right, between Valley Road
and Alps Road.
201-694-9440/694-9441
Tues 9:00 PM - 12:00 AM Adult-17 Rap/Top-40 DJ
Wed 3:30 PM - 6:00 PM Scout Discount
6:30 PM - 9:30 PM Indoor Skate Park (see text)
Thurs 9:00 PM - 12:00 AM Adult-17 Rap/Top-40 DJ
Fri 3:30 PM - 6:00 PM
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Indoor Skate Park (see text)
8:30 PM - 11:30 PM Teen Night
Sat 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM Kids Fun Time
1:30 PM - 4:00 PM Kids Fun Time
5:00 PM - 7:30 PM Kids Fun Time
9:00 PM - 1:00 AM Hip Hop, House & Raggae (13+ only)
Sun 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM Kids Fun Time
2:30 PM - 5:00 PM Kids Fun Time
6:00 MP - 8:30 PM Family Night
Hardwood - 140'x70' - 3 Padded Poles - Fair Condition - 16'x20' Kids Floor
Skate Shop - Snack Bar - Games
In-line skates permitted and available for rent
Fairly Strict Rule Enforcement
RSA Member Rink
USAC/RS Artistic and JO Clubs
[ JDFulton@aol.com (John Fulton) ]
Skater's World is situated in a shopping center that appears to have
had better days. The rink's building seems to have been designed for
something else, perhaps a grocery store or large drugstore. The floor
is of adequate size, but no larger.
The lobby leads directly to the rear of the rink itself. As you walk
along an aisle, the office and video arcade are to the left. Next on
the left is a party area where, on many nights, an ersatz disco is set
up for teen-agers and near-teens to dance. As the aisle curves to the
right there is the refreshment stand (the pizza's good) and the eating
area. Then comes a tot practice area, then seating and lockers and
the skate rental window. As the aisle curves around again there is
more seating and another set of lockers.
Skater's World can be a nice place to skate, but there's no denying that
the place is shabby and getting shabbier. The lobby could use a face
lift, at the very least, the windows could be washed and leftover poster
glue or wayward paint scraped off.
Why I do not know - There seem to be plenty of paying customers, though
perhaps not as many since the opening of the Wheels in Motion rink in
nearby[?] Wharton. Most rural and suburban rinks would presumably be
delighted -- make that ecstatic -- to draw the crowds that flock to
Skater's World.
[ grr ]
Skaters World is not an easy place to find. The major roads in the
area have evolved into weary limited-accesss Escape from New York
routes, with poor signage, while the local roads must have evolved
from cowpaths. The rink is on one of the older roads and by the time
I actually found it, the Thursday night session was nearly over, and
there were only a handfull of skaters still present. I don't know if
that session is dying or everyone just leaves early.
The rink is much as John describes it. I get the impression it once
catered to wall-to-wall crowds and perhaps still does on teen nights,
but the overall effect is tired and run down. The floor isn't too
rough but the coating has been about half chipped off, quick sanding
and recoating would do wonders, and a general cleaning and repainting
in other than uniform dusty and dirtied black would help. Apparently
the previous owner sold out to open the Wheels in Motion rink in
Wharton, and whoever's running it now is just letting it go downhill.
The decor feateres a lot of neon and other lighting effects such as
strobes and spotlights, but except for a few signs, none of the neon
or strobes seemed to be working - just bars of colored lights and a
couple of color beam projectors. The sound system is decent, about
twenty midsized speaker cabinets suspended from walls and four woofer
pairs embedded in the barriers. The music was mostly along the
Rap/House/R&B vein, though there may be more variety when the place
is hopping.
A couple days a week they have what they call "The Grind", where they
setup up an indoor skate park with portable ramps, rails, stunt boxes
and whatnot, with dancing to alternative music. Helmets and pads are
required, also parentally signed waivers for minors. Tuesdays and
Thursdays are alternately advertised as both Adult or College Discount
nights, while Friday and Saturday are aimed at teens. They also offer
group lessons and have an artistic program, probably mostly freestyle.
====
Wharton/Dover/Morris County, NJ 07885-1209
Wheels in Motion (was Roller World)
316 NJ Route 15 South
From I-80, get off at exit 34a - Rt 15 - Wharton, and head north
on Rt 15, then make at the U-turn sign, cross over to the southbound
lanes to head back towards Wharton. The rink is on the right hand
side just after you pass back under I-80 - look for a large building
with a big "Roller Skating" sign out by the street. Because Rt 15
south is the wrong way from the main Rt 15/I-80 interchange, don't
be surprised if you seem to get bounced around, look for signs for
Rt 15 South and to Dover, the rink is in the business strip after you
finally cross back under I-80.
201-328-7900
Tues 7:30 PM - 11:00 PM Int/Adv Roller Dance Group Lesson
8:30 PM - 11:00 PM Live Organ Music - Al Deluca
Thurs 4:30 PM - 7:00 PM After School Session
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Adult Group Lesson
8:00 PM - 11:00 PM Adult Night/College Discount
Fri 9:30 PM - 10:30 AM Beginner Roller Dance Group Lessons
10:30 AM - 1:00 PM Live Organ Music
4:30 PM - 7:00 PM After School session
8:00 PM - 11:00 PM Weekend Blast-Off
Sat 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM Childrens Group Lessons
11:00 PM - 2:00 PM
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
8:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Sun 11:00 PM - 2:00 PM
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM Weekend Wind-Up
Large Hardwood Floor - Ovoid - 200'x90' - Kids Practice Area
"Rink Safe" Inlines Permitted - Plastic Quads/Inlines for rent
RSA Member Rink
USAC/RS Artistic, JO and Speed Clubs
[ JDFulton@aol.com (John Fulton) ]
Wheels in Motion is a first-class operation with something for everybody.
The floor is big - the owner says it is the largest "skating surface on
the East Coast". In addition, this rink publishes a professional-quality
newsletter that's worth signing up for.
The owner has gone looking for talent: He "stole" the organist and pro
from one rink and hired the speed-skating coach from another.
The "shuffle skate" is the specialty of the rink rats, who can be so
obnoxious that non-shufflers sometimes have trouble entering or leaving
the floor. I've seen the floor guards resort to forming a phalanx merely
to let a skater off the floor.
[ VLABE@emshq.mhs.compuserve.com (Vito Labella) ]
Wharton is great for artistic skaters on Tuesday night.
[ grr ]
Wheels in Motion opened in 1993, the rink had operated as Roller World
during the early 80's and then as a boat showroom during the interim.
The owner made substantial rennovations and argressively promotes both
the family-fun aspect, adult and artistic skating aspects.
I've visted this rink twice during a fund-raiser skate for the artistic
club. It's a pretty nice rink, quite large with both a large floor and
generous surrounding areas and a large snack bar. The floor is in good
condition, though a bit bumpy in places. I don't know if this is due
to the short boards, or perhaps abuse during the period the rink was
closed.
They have a theatre pipe organ, rather than the usual Hammond B3. It
sounds pretty nice, but the pipes appear to be concealed in the suspended
ceiling rather than being visible as at the Oaks rinks. I'd like to
catch the normal adult/artistic night sometime to get a better feel for
how it sounds. They also have an assortment of mirror-balls and neon
lights, effective and pretty. The sound system looks pretty powerful
with booth ceiling level speakers and speakers set into the barriers
at floor level in the corners.
The only negative points are the little metal ramps leading down from the
floor to the carpeted surround level, these seemed to be catching a few
skaters not familiar with the rink, and restroom entry design, which
provides a sightline from the ladies entry to the mens urinals and lets
a person crashing out the door of one restroom bump or pinch a person
trying to open the door of the other. Normally, I wouldn't mention
something like this, but it just seemed strange that it hadn't yet been
corrected in an otherwise well thought out and maintained layout.
========================================================================
========================================================================
*************************************************************************
* Neighborhood/Rink Safety Notes *
*************************************************************************
* *
* Specific skating rinks in this section are tagged as *NOT* being *
* located in in good neighborhoods or suffering from other potential *
* personal safety problems. *
* *
* If you choose to visit them, please take appropriate precautions *
* for your own safety and peace of mind. See the safety section in *
* the overview posting for some specific cautions and suggestions. *
* *
*************************************************************************
Pennsylvania (215) - Philadelphia, northern and eastern suburbs
Levittown, Philadelphia, Quakertown
Phone numbers and addresses checked against a CD-ROM directory 1/96,
also checked against the RSA directory and USAC/RS directory.
This should be essentially all the roller rinks in the 215 area code.
====
Cornwells Heights/Bensalem, PA 19020-5263
Cornwells Roller Skating Center
2350 Bristol Pike - Rt 13
Cornwells is located in southeastern Pennsylvania, just northeast of
Philadelphia County. From I-95, get off at the Woodhaven Road exit,
then immediately head north on US 13, proceed past Rt 613 and the rink
will be on the left, a couple blocks past Cornwells Road. It looks a
lot like an old Bowling Alley.
215-638-7766
Tues 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
7:30 PM - 10:30 PM Adult-18 Night (Organ Music)
Thurs 7:00 PM - 10:30 PM Country Dance - NOT SKATING!
Fri 7:30 PM - 11:00 PM
Sat 12:30 PM - 3:30 PM
7:30 PM - 11:00 PM
Sun 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Wood Floor - Medium - Rectangular - Good Condition
Snack Bar
RSA Member Rink
USAC/RS Artistic Coach
[ bill@franklin.com (bill) - edited ]
Dave Paden also plays at the Cornwells rink on Tuesdays. This session is
are not awfully crowded and the folks are a bit older than in the other
local sessions I've mentioned. The floor is average size but not quite as
good as the one at Skater's Choice.
[ grr ]
This rink is a converted bowling alley and displays a mixed history of
bowling alley, roller disco, skating and now western dance. The floor is
of small to medium size, but in decent condition. I've only been there
once for a private New Years party, so I can't say much about the public
sessions. This rink does wins the prize for the most carpet textures and
odd steps.
There is also a weekday morning session at Cornwells - skating before
noon and country dance in the afternoon. The adult skaters at this
session and the Tuesday evening session tend to be uniformly older than
at other area "adult" sessions. The adult skating used to be centered
around the "Over-30" club, most of whose members are now "Over-60", but
it's said to be a friendly, social group.
====
Langhorne, PA 19047-1801
Sportland America of Langhorne
9 Cabot Boulevard East
Langhorne is located in southeastern Pennsylvania, about 10 miles
northeast of Philadelphia. From I-95, get off at the US 1 exit and
head north on US 1 towards Morrisville, then immediately get off
at the Oxford Vally Road / Mall exit. Head south on Oxford Valley
Road, towards the Mall, then make the first right turn onto Cabot
Boulevard. Sportland is on the left, facing Old Oxford Valley
Road - from the rear it looks like a warehouse shipping dock.
215-547-7766
Mon 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Tues 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Wed 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Thurs 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Fri 10:00 AM - 1:00 AM?
Sat 10:00 AM - 1:00 AM?
Sun 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
** Hours are longer during the school year
Wood Floor - 100'x70' - Padded Pillars - Fair Condition - Slippery
Snack Bar - Games - Air Conditioned
Sportland is a multi-feature family entertainment complex, with all sorts
of attractions - pool, miniature golf, ski-ball, a climbing wall, bumper
cars and lots of video games. The skating rink itself is a rather small
hardwood floor, with two padded roof pillars out in the center. The floor
appeared to be in fair condition. There were several speakers suspended
over the floor playing some kind of music, either tapes or a canned music
music service.
As usual with this type of facility, the rink has extended hours, open
whenver the facilty is, but no special sessions. This arrangement can
be convenient if you want to skate at odd hours, but it's potluck - the
first time I visited there wasn't anybody at all skating, but you might
arrive during a rash of juvenile birthday parties.
I actually skated here on one Monday evening. The floor is a little
rough and very slippery, to the extent that I actually was playing around
with Hockey Stops. I wonder if they intentionally wax the floor to keep
the kids speed down. I actually got in a good work-out, but there were
two bus-loads of school kids in the facility, so at times it was a mess.
According to the rink attendent, on a normal Monday there'd be no-one or
at most a few kids skating.
====
Levitttown, PA 19057
Rollerama
Rt 413 & New Falls Road
Levittown is located in southeastern Pennsylvania, about 10 miles
northeast of Philadelphia. From I-95, get off at the Rt 413 exit,
take the Rt 413 connector, and then head north on Rt 413. After you
pass under the PA Turnpike the next traffic light will be New Falls
road, the rink is just past the light on the left. The building
itself is kind of dark, but there's a small, elevated, sign with a
roller skate by the road.
215-949-2782
Wed 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM Family Discount Nite
Fri 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Sat 2:00 PM - 4:30 PM
8:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Sun 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Wood Floor - about 78'x165' - Good Condition
USAC/RS Artistic, Hockey and JO Clubs
[ VLABE@emshq.mhs.compuserve.com (Vito Labella) - edited ]
This is the place for a great pro - Rollerama in Levittown PA. One of
the best artistic pro's in the Eastern Region consistently turns out
regional champions in both figures and dance. The pros are Carol and
John Heffner, a team that can't be beat for their dedication to the
artistic skater...
For further info call the rink (they own it). It's nice to see owner/
operators that have such a dedication to the sport and their students.
Lessons are about $28/hour and a club fee of $23/month. The rink is
ALWAYS heated in the winter. The floor is refinished at least twice a
year.
There is a nice mix of young adult and adult skaters are in the club -
no attitudes here - any club member is willing to help out, and the
pro's are always willing to answer questions.
Although there are no formal artistic sessions there is plenty of club
practice time. Artistic skaters, if you are looking for a competitive
female partner look no further, this is the place to be. Stop in for
a visit during club time early Saturday morning or Sunday evening, but
call first - the Pro's won't interrupt a lesson to answer questions.
Tell more skaters to put this rink on their map! For further info send
me E-mail me VLABE@emshq.mhs.compuserve.com or vlabella@aol.com.
[grr]
I dropped in on this rink during the Wednesday Family Night - it seemed
to be mostly kids, but I was on the run and didn't have time to skate.
The rink has a nice looking floor, with boards that wrap around the
ends for a continuous running surface. It showed some signs of age, but
looked reasonably well preserved and recently refinished.
The problem with this rink from my perspective is that they don't have
*any* "adult" public sessions, either artistic or top-40, so there's no
reason I'd go there just to skate. I don't understand this, as most
other rinks in the area have some adult offerings, but maybe they've
targetted all their off peak nights to the competitve program and/or
roller hockey. I know of a numer of skaters who belong the the club
and take lessons at Rollerama, but skate elsewhere!
====
Line-Lexington/Montgomeryville, PA 18932
Spin-A-Round Skating Center (was CCM)
2117 Bethlehem Pike - Rt 309 at Mill Road
Montgomeryville is located in southeastern Pennsylvania, midway between
Philadelphia and Allentown. From the Pennsylvania Turnpike get off at
exit 26 - Fort Washington - Rt 309 and head north on Rt 309 past the
Montgomery Mall and about 3 miles further to where Rt 309 bears left
onto County Line road. The rink sits up on the hillside on the right,
just before Mill Road. There's a sign by the road, but the rink is
hard to spot at night, usually you're at/past the main entrance by the
time you see it, take the next right for the side entrance.
215-822-8242
Wed 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM Top 40
Fri 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM Top 40
Sat 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM Top 40
7:30 PM - 10:00 PM Top 40
9:30 PM - 12:00 PM Top 40
Sun 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM Top 40
6:30 PM - 9:00 PM Family Night - Top 40 & Some organ tapes
Hardwood - Large - Octagonal - Fair Condition
Rink Safe Inlines permitted only at specific sessions
Rules Mostly Strictly Enforced
RSA Member Rink
USAC/RS Artistic and JO Clubs
This is a full sized rink, with a narrow wooden gangway surrounding the
entire rink and snack bar. They had some problems with water damage
in the winter of 1993/94, but this was eventually repaired.
I've only been here on an open Saturday night when it was snowing, so I
don't know much about the usual crowds. There aren't any adult nights,
so there's generally a mix of all ages. The Saturday split session does
result the the departure of some of the youngest skaters at the end of
the early session.
Apparently they have a rule prohibiting backwards skating except during
backwards skates, this wasn't being enforced when I was there, due to
the small crowd, but I've heard that it is normally strictly enforced.
[ grr - update ]
I recently visted the rink again for a special late skate organ music
session. Not too much had changed, but I don't remember the floor as
being this bad. The water damage has been skillfully repaired, but the
overall impression is that the floor was allowed to got to pot for too
long, then refinished by amateurs. The peripheral areas showing 50
coats of yellowed varnish are smooth as glass, but the main floor is
pretty rough, especially anywhere you go cross boards. It needs to be
sanded flat and then a few thick leveling coats of rink-cote, not just
a thin layer of pretty varnish over rough sanded boards.
Maybe it'll improve over time, but the impression I have is that the
onwers run the rink just for the kid trade and what's good enough for
the kids is good enough for everybody. My legs are still sore...
[ mikey@voicenet.com (Mike Knapp) - edited ]
Spin-a-Round skating center on Rt 309 had to be one of my my worst
skating experiences. A friend and I went, and upon walking in the
first thing I noticed was the smell, like a college football locker
room. The walls were a pukey green and the music sounded like it
was coming thru a PA system in the cellar. I remember saying to my
friend, maybe the floor will be nice, but it was like skating down
the boardwalk, across the wood part.
We were grabbed by a couple of the local girls for the couples skate
and the moment the music came on we realized our mistake - it was
the longest song playing at that time, and lasted forever! We ended
up leaving early, but it was definitaly a memory for my friend and
I to talk about.
====
Northeast Philadelphia, PA 19116-3003
Palace Roller Skating Center
11600 Roosevelt Blvd.
Philadelphia is located in southeastern Pennsylvania, along the
Delaware river. The Palace is located in the Northeast, the
northern extension of Philadelphia County along the river. From
the Pennsylvania Turnpike, get off at exit 28 - Delaware Valley -
Rt 1 and head south on Rt 1 - The Roosevelt Boulevard for about 3
miles. Stay in the outer lanes! After passing under the Woodhaven
Road overpass and the Nabisco Baking plant, the the Palace will be
on the right hand side, just past the Diner and what used to be a
car dealership. From I-95, cut across to Rt 1 on Rt 63 - Woodhaven
Road. Note that there's also a rear entrance to the parking lot off
Bennett Street, this can be convenient if you're arriving at the
time when locals are picking up their kids after an earlier session.
215-698-8000(tape)/698-8001
Tues 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM Adult Morning Program
Wed 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM Discount (Family) Night
9:00 PM - 11:30 PM Adult-18
Thurs 7:00 PM - 10:30 PM Family Skate (July 17-Aug 31)
Fri 4:30 PM - 7:00 PM After School Skate
7:00 PM - 10:30 PM 8 & up - Rock
Sat 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM Young Skaters Session 10&under and parents
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Afternoon Sessions
7:30 PM - 10:30 PM 8 & up - Rock
11:30 PM - 1:30 AM Adult-18
Sun 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Afternoon Sessions
8:00 PM - 10:30 PM Adult-18 - Oldies (70's/80's/90's)
Hardwood - about 180'x80' - Oval - Air Conditioned
In-line skates permitted and available for rent
Rules Loosely Enforced During Adult Sessions
RSA Member Rink
USAC/RS JO Club
The Palace was originally built as an indoor ice skating rink, the
Liberty Bell Ice Palace, but it was converted to a roller skating rink
some years back, after the Flyers and the associated local ice hockey
boom crashed. It is technically in Philadelphia County, but it's at
the boundary of the "Greater Northeast" area. The immediate area is
mostly commercial, with the more urban areas in one direction and the
suburban areas in the other. The popular sessions draw skaters from
all these areas.
The floor is large and usually kept in good condition, but it's a high
traffic floor, so even though it's smooth, it seems to go a long time
between recoating. It's usually clean, but there are occassional
problem with gum and debris, especially on Wednesdays, when the adult
session immediately follows the family session. There is also rather
nice skate shop, but the only time it's usually open during the Adult
skates is the beginning of the Wedndesday session.
On many nights, this is a kids/teen rink, with an amazing birthday party
business. However they do have several adult sessions, limited to 18
years and older, which are among the best in the area. Each of the
adult sessions has it's own character that changes somewhat from season
to season, with an overlapping attendance. The skaters these sessions
ranges from "passes for 18" to a few folks in their 60's, but most are
in the 18-30 age group.
The Wednesday and Saturday late sessions offer a mix of contemporary
club/dance mix and 80's skating favorites, while the Sunday session
advertises music from the 70's & 80's, mostly dance stuff. The DJ is
usually pretty good, at least in local skating rink terms. A new DJ
took over in the Fall of '95 - he's playing a broader range of material,
but has stopped announcing "couples only" skates and otherwise messed
with the usual session schedule. There is a Tuesday morning session
with draws a small, but social, group including more older skaters, and
which offers a more eclectic music selection than the evening sessions.
In summer attendence at the Sunday session tends to be been way down,
making it a good choice for beginner, while the Wednesday night session
turns into a crowded zoo. This balance seems to reverse on some kind
of seasonal basis. Adult beginners should try either the first hour of
the Sunday session or the Tuesday morning adult session.
The Palace also offers group lessons before the Wednesday Family Skate
and Saturday morning. There is club practice or private lesson time for
the "Omni Skating Club" which represnts a number of rinks under the same
ownership, but other than an annual "show", this club has no visibility.
[ Rob Steuer - http://csac.rutgers.edu/users/steuer ]
Wednesday nights is adult night, but the Palace is NOT the place to learn
how to skate. You go there to show off or watch others. It can get very
crowded and the floor is filled with very good skaters, both quads and
inlines. The rink isn't very large [sic], but it is one of the smoothest
I've skated on. The DJ's keep the beat going - You either move it or
lose it here.
[ mikey@voicenet.com (Mike Knapp) - edited ]
The Palace rules, it's huge, the floor has got a totally different and
smooth feel to it, unlike any other rink. Back when I first started
going there in 1991, the Friday and Saturday night sessions were all
Metalheads and Metalsluts, but now the music at those sessions is good,
with a lot of variety. It gets extremely crowded, even considering
the large size.
I'm planning to go there a lot on Fridays and Saturdays this season.
[ grr - udpate ]
As of fall 1996, the owner's son apparently took over as general manager
at the Palace and they've started on some rennovations. The carpets
have been replaced, they've exchanged the carpet in the snack bar and
the linoleum in the rest rooms with what appears to be soft, no-roll
rubber tiles, which should help spruce up both those area. They've
remodeled the skate shop to make it larger - more open display area and
are also renting in-lines out of the skate shop. Hopefully any other
changes will also be in a postive direction.
====
Northeast Philadelphia, PA 19154
Woodhaven Sports Center
Knights and Woodhaven Road
216-637-6900
Asphalt Floor - Full Size
Indoor/Outdoor - Hockey
The Woodhaven Sports Center opened around 1984 on the site of the
Woodhaven Raquet Club. The center is a 42,000-square-foot facility
with separate, regulation-sized roller hockey and soccer fields,
each about 80-by-155 feet.
The indoor sports complex includes grandstands, a hockey rink enclosed
with Plexiglas, showers, locker rooms, food stands, scoreboards and a
lounge area overlooking both fields.
The center offers roller hockey and street hockey year-round and soccer
almost all year and the center also hosts boxing and wrestling events.
A September 1995 newspaper article mentioned plans to move the facility
to nearby Bensalem, outside Philadelphia city limits, and adding an ice
hockey rink to the facilities at the new site.
====
Northeast Philadelphia, PA 19149-1340
WOW Family Fun Center (was United Skates of America)
7017 East Roosevelt Blvd
Philadelphia is located in southeastern Pennsylvania, along the
Delaware river. The Family Fun Center is located in the Northeast,
the northern extension of Philadelphia County along the river. From
I-95, get off at the Rt 73 - Cottman Avenue exit and head northwest on
Cottman for about a mile and a half to Rt 1 - The Roosevelt Boulevard.
Turn left on Rt 1 and make a U-turn somewhere past Tyson Street, the
rink is on the northbound side, just past Tyson. It's not quite on
the street - drive into the K-Mart parking lot and the rink parking
and entrance are opposite the K-Mart store.
215-335-9587
Mon 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Tues 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Wed 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Thurs 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Fri 4:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Sat 10:00 PM - 12:00 PM
12:00 noon - 11:00 PM 12 & under w/parents
Sun 12:00 noon - 9:00 PM
Woodend Floor - Small - Irregular Shape
This was once a real, full sized, United Skates of America rink, but now
it's apparently a "Family Fun Center", with skating for kids and family
incidental to all the other stuff. It looks like the floor was cut down
to make larger service and party areas, leaving a small, roughly triangular
shaped floor. An interesting feature is that the skate rental and changing
area are in the center of the floor, linked to the outside by an overhead
walkway!
The attendant said that they didn't have any adult sessions, when they
tried them, no one came...
====
Pennsburg/Quakertown, PA 18073-2307
The Embassy Skating Center
229 East Buck Road
Pennsburg is located in eastern Pennsylvania, about 35 miles north
of Philadelphia and 7 miles west of Quakertown. From the PA Turnpike
Northeast Extension, get off at at exit 32 - Quakertown - Rt 663 and
head West on Rt 663 to Pennsburg, then South on Rt 29. Buck Road is
the traffic light just past the 7-11 store. Turn left, the rink is on
the lefthand side about a half-mile down. You're approaching from the
rear and it may look dark and deserted, but there's a small lighted sign
by the road, and the skating parking on the far side of the building.
215-679-3800/679-2735
e-mail: SkateEmb@aol.com
Wed 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM Family Night
Thurs 8:00 PM - 10:30 PM Adult-18 session
Fri 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM Open session
Sat 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Moms & Tots (12 & under)
1:30 PM - 4:00 PM Public Matinee
7:00 PM - 11:00 PM Open session
11:30 PM - 2:00 AM Adult-18 late session
** summer schedule a little different - call.
wood floor - 150'x70' - oval - fair condition
skate shop - snack bar - games - smoking room - air conditioned
In-lines skates permitted
RSA Member Rink
USAC/RS Artistic and JO Clubs
This is a rink that opened (or re-opened?) in fall '94, so it seems nice
and new. The medium sized wood floor is in fairly good condition, but is
rather badly washboarded, so that going around isn't too bad, but doing
dance steps or working in the center can be irritating. On an up night
it dosn't bother me too much, but when I'm down I wonder why I bother.
The facility is pleasant, clean and well-lit, with a tiny smoking room at
the opposite end from the snack bar. There's also a small-medium sized
disco/dance hall/dinner theatre in a separate section of the building.
It's the first rink I saw where all the rental skates are the all-plastic
Roller Derby(TM) skates, with integral "torsion bar" wheel mounts instead
of the traditional plate with trucks - the rental folks didn't seem to be
having any special trouble with them though.
I've attended both the Saturday late-skate and Thursday adult session -
it wasn't very crowded, but the DJ was doing a reasonable job and it was
a lot of fun having room to really cut loose and show off a bit. The
crowd seems to be a mix of locals and some Philadelphia area skaters.
A lot of the local skaters tend to leave after about an hour, making for
a uncrowded low stress practice session. These sessions got really thin
this summer - it's nice to have the rink nearly to yourself, but hard
to see how the rink can be making enough money to bother.
The Embassy has artistic, hockey and speed programs, with quite a bit
of floor time available for artistic practice. When they first opened
they had a Sunday evening organ music session (tapes), but it didn't
last. There is talk of a weekday evening live organ music session,
but I don't see how that can work out on a regular basis, there aren't
enough older adult locals and people aren't going to go too far out of
their way to skate on such a nasty floor on a regular basis.
====
Philadelphia, PA 19140-5316
Carman Gardens Roller Skating
3226 Germantown Ave
Philadelphia is located in the southeastern Pennsylvania, along the
Delaware river. Carman Gardens is in the North Broad section of
Philadelphia. From I-76, take US 1 - The Roosevelt Boulevard east
and get off at the Rt 611 - Broad Street exit. Head south on Broad
then bear left at the diagonal intersection with Germantown Avenue,
rink is on the right, between Old York Road and Allegheny Avenue.
It's an old brick building, marked "Carman Caberet".
215-223-2200
**** See the neighborhood/rink saftey note in the overview posting
Fri 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM Disco Party
Sat 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
7:30 PM - 10:30 PM Disco Party
Sun 3:30 PM - 6:30 PM Disco Party
(** schedule subject to change, call... **)
Wood Floor - Medium Size
No off-street parking
Carman Gardens is a grand old rink, with a lot of Philadelphia skating
history, but the rink, housed in a converted movie house, has seen its
ups-and-downs as the surrounding North Broad neighborhood has decayed
into one of Phiadephia's worst neighborhoods.
According to newspaper articles, the current owner Roger Lloyd, who had
skated and worked at the rink since he was a boy, bought the rink in
1979 and initially offered disco skating. The rink had hosted revivals
and church rentals, but Lloyd thought that that skaters might respond
to contemporary christian music and in 1983 started to offer gospel
skating sessions.
The gospel sessions were successful enough that the rink advertises
only gospel skating, and church groups are given priority over secular
rentals. However, the rink also offers "disco skating" on the weekends
to help cover expenses.
According the the attendant, most of their sessions are aimed at teens
and young adults, but the schedule varies and they may have occassional
adult only sessions - call during off hours to check the taped message.
A warning - there is no off-street parking and you don't really want to
park on or walk the streets in this area, especially after dark.
====
Philadelphia, PA 19142-1501
Elmwood Roller Skating Rink
2406 South 71st St
Philadelphia is located in southeastern Pennsylvania, along the
Delaware River. Elmwood is in the western part of Philadelphia, in
the direction of the Airport, north of Lindbergh Boulevard and the
Passyunk Avenue "Auto Mall". From I-95, get off at the Airport exit
and follow the Industrial Highway / airport service road to Island
Avenue. Head north on Island for about two miles to the diagonal
intersection with Elmwood Avenue, turn right onto Elmwood and then
left several blocks further onto 71st Street. The rink is on the left,
about half-way down the block. You can also reach the rink via the
Rt 36 Subway/Surface trolly line from Center City.
215-492-8543
**** See the neighborhood/rink saftey note in the overview posting
Tues 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM Adult-18 R&B, etc...
Thurs 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM
Fri 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM Gospel Night
Sat 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM Kids
8:00 PM - 11:00 PM All ages
Sun 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM Kids
4:30 PM - 9:30 PM All Ages (except summer?)
Hardwood Floor - Medium Size - Rectangular - Excellent Condition
Snack Bar - Games - Not Air-Conditioned
In-line Skates Permitted
No off-street parking
RSA Member Rink
Elmwood is one of Philadelphia's surviving neighborhood roller rinks,
built in the late 40's. The floor is in excellent condition, very
smooth and seems to be on a resilient base. It was clean at the start
of the session, but got dirty as the session progressed. The problem
is a gunked-up carpet in the snack-bar/entry area that is willing to
give up it's dirt to any passing wheel. It didn't help that it was a
hot, humid night and the rink isn't air-conditioned.
The sound system is adequate, but with a bit of distortion. I skated
the Tuesday night adult session and the music was a kind of hard to
catgorize. I guess you could call it R&B targeted to a 18-25 YO black
audience, not "Hardcore Rap" but mostly murky mixes of popular stuff,
and maybe some oldies for the slow numbers. Not really to my taste but
tolerable in small doses. There are some effective lighting effects
and a smoke generator that gets used for one or two numbers.
The session is broken up with all-skates alternating with ladies only,
men only, couples, fast backwards, slow walk, and slow backwards special.
Most of these specials are pretty long, so it's wise to plan any breaks
accordingly. The slow walk is sort of an R&B line dance, done in groups
and gradually progressing around the rink. Each group does different
sequences of moves, some in the center, some along the wall. There's a
lot of backwards skating and a few hot-shots showing their stuff, the
other oddity is that because of the tiny seating area, skaters taking
a break or just watching the action tend to stand in the center of the
floor.
This rink has a bit of reputation as a rowdy place, partly because of
historic racial tensions in the immediate neighborhood, which is "white"
while rink draws most of it's clientelle from "black" neighborhoods in
the broader West Philly area. I got a cursory pass of a hand-held metal
detector and a bag inspection on the way in, but at least at this session,
things were relaxed and adult.
====
Philadelphia, PA 19134-1447
Kensington Roller Rink
3419 Kensington Avenue
Philadelphia is located in the southeastern Pennsylvania, along the
Delaware river. The rink is in the Kensington/Richmond area of the city.
From I-95, get off at the Allegheny Avenue exit and head northwest on
Allegheny. After crossing Torresdale Avenue, turn right onto Kengsington
Avenue, under the Frankford El. The rink is a brick building on the right,
between Ontario and Russel Streets.
215-???-????
Closed
This rink appears to have closed in the last year or two - there are still
both "roller rink" and "closed" signs and the building [1995] doesn't appear
to have been otherwise used.
According to a 1992 newspaper article, the rink was doing a reasonable
neighborhood business, but it's an old movie theatre located under the
Market-Frankford El and isn't air-conditioned.
====
Philadelphia, PA 19135-2314
Olympian Entertainment
6814 Torresdale Avenue
Philadelphia is located in the southeastern Pennsylvania, along the
Delaware river. Olympian is in the Tacony area of the city. From
I-95, get off at the Cottman Avenue exit and head northwest on
Cottman to Torresdale. Turn left onto Torresdale, the rink is on
the right side between Knorr and Longshore Streets.
215-???-????
Closed
This was advertised in the Philadelphia Yellow pages until recently
under the roller skating heading, however the address is currently a
Body Tech Fitness center and previously a "catering service" that also
served as a local small-time boxing venue. It may have been available
as a rental-only rink...
====
Philadelphia, PA 19147-4235
Rizzo Ice Rink (aka Rink at the Headhouse)
100 Washington Avenue
Philadelphia is located in southeastern Pennsylvania, along the
Delaware River. Headhouse Square is located in the Southwark area
along the old Philadelphia waterfront. From I-95 get off at exit 16 -
Columbus Boulevard. Continue in whichever direction you were headed
on I-95 along Delaware Avenue till you get to Washington Avenue. Turn
and head under the elevated highway, the rink is on the other side,
across Front Street. It is next to the Headhouse, an old shot tower
that resembles a brick industrial smokestack, but with windows and a
cute little roof at the top.
215-685-1593
Outdoor - Seasonal
This is a seasonal semi-outdoor ice rink in a municipal recreation center.
Apparently it's officially the Rizzo Ice Rink, but there's an advertising
sign visible from I-95 which calls it the Rink at the Headhouse.
Supposedly the rink operates as an outdoor roller skating facility during
the warmer parts of the year.
====
Philadelphia, PA 19103-1178
Saint Charles Skating Rink
20th & Christian Streets
Philadelphia is located in southeastern Pennsylviania along the
Delaware River. From I-76, the Schyllkill Expressway, get off
at exit 41 - Grey's Ferry Avenue, and head northeast on Grey's
Ferry for about a half-mile to Christian Street, then bear right
onto Christian. The rink is on the corner at 20th street, in
the parochial shool building across from the Saint Charles church.
215-545-7669
Tues 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM Adult-15 Skate (under 18 curfew)
Fri 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Sat 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Sun 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM Family Skate
4:00 PM - 6:30 PM
7:30 PM - 10:30 PM
Hardwood Floor - Small - Fair Condition
Limited quad rentals available
No off-street parking
This rink is in the Saint Charles parochial school building, in what
looks like a multi-function gym/cafeteria/social hall. The floor is to
be hardwood, fairly small and in fair condition. Tuesday is their adult
session, with no pre-teens and I think under-18 having to leave earlier.
The attendent said it was a good time and suggested I drop in and skate.
Saint Charles Church and its school serve a historically black business
and residential section of Philadelphia, with a number historical signs
for the "First Black xyz". It's not the worst neighborhood as urban
Philadelphia goes, but prudence is advised, particularly after dark.
====
Warrington/Doylestown, PA 18976
Warrington Roller Skating Rink
925 Easton Road - Rt 611
Warrington is located in southeastern Pennsylvania, about 25 miles
north of Philadelphia, between Horsham and Doylestown. From the
Pennsylvania Turnpike, get off at exit 27 - Willow Grove/Horsham -
Rt 611 and head north on Rt 611 - Easton Road for about 6 miles,
through Horsham, across County Line and Street Roads. The rink is
on the right, about a half-mile after Street Road. It's an older
building that resembles a large commercial garage.
215-343-9999
Fri 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM Family Skate
8:00 PM - 11:00 PM Top-40
Sat 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM Top-40
8:00 PM - 11:00 PM Top-40
Sun 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM Top-40
Hardwood - Small - 170 x 55 - Rectangular
Rink Safe In-lines Permitted
RSA Member Rink
Warrington is basically a community rink that does a good business with
the local kids, birthday parties and rentals. They don't offer any adult
or artistic sessions. There is some artistic skating and lessons during
the day, but I don't know if they have a competitive club. They also
offer youth roller hockey leagues and adult pick-up games.
I skated at the rink on a Friday evening session, mostly 6-15 year olds,
with a few couples/parents in their teens or twenties. The skate guards
were alert and busy, constantly helping out kids who fell and effectively
controlling the more rambunctious. The sound system was barely adequate
and I'm not sure if it was a DJ or tapes.
The rink itself is intersting, built in the mid-fifties and not too much
changed since. There's a display case with some antique skates, wheels
and accessories. The floor is in good condition and built on beams for
a nice rebound, but while it's of normal length, it's only about 55 feet
wide. Most of the kids want to turn back about 2/3's or the way down
and the skate guards have to keep pushing the end point down to keep
things organized. On the other hand, this leaves an clear area at the
far end for the better skaters.
This rink feels intensely narrow after skating at some of the larger
rinks in the area, and that probably accounts for the lack of any
serious skating at this rink.
[ mikey@voicenet.com (Mike Knapp) - edited ]
I think Warrington is horrible, the floor is extermely slippery, the
music quality is poor and it sounds bad. The scene is a lot like a
Jr. High School at recess.
========================================================================
Pennsylvania (610) - Southeastern outside Philadelphia Area
Allentown, Bethlehem, Downingtown, Reading, Valley Forge, West Chester
Phone numbers and addresses checked against a CD-ROM directory 1/96,
also checked against the RSA directory and USAC/RS directory.
This should be essentially all the roller rinks in the 610 area code.
====
Aston/Village Green, PA 19014-1904
CN Skate Palace
247 Concord Road (near Rt 452)
Aston is located in southeastern Pennsylvania, about midway between
Philadelphia and Wilmington, Delaware. From I-95, get off at exit 2 -
Marcus Hook - Rt 452 and head north on Rt 452 away From Marcus Hook
for about 2-1/2 miles. At the Five Points intersection with Concord
and Linvilla Road, turn sharply right to head back south on Concord
Road. The rink is on the right, just around the corner. There's a
sign, and the rink is in a blocky building with a miniature golf
course at the rear.
610-494-4442(tape)/494-4443
Wed 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM Family Night
Fri 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM Rock & Roll Nite
Sat 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM Family Night
In-line skates permitted.
Hardwood - 160'x60' rectangular
Rules Loosly Enforced
RSA Member Rink
USAC/RS Artistic and JO Clubs
This is a fairly small/narrow rink in a converted suburban movie theater.
The floor is in excellent condition and because it is built over the
sloping theater floor, it is suspended rather than sitting on concrete
and has a nice feel. Unfortunatly, the floor is too often covered with
kid goo, crud from the carpet and fibers from the acoustic wall panels.
The 60 feet between vertical walls feels really narrow and there's a
poorly designed snack bar exit that often has kids zooming diagonally
against traffic.
I've skated here mostly during "family" sessions, which are the usual
zoo-like affairs. At this session, there are usually several members
of a religious sect which requires the women to wear a sort of scarf
which partly blocks their peripheral vision. There was a Tuesday night
adult rock session for a while, but attendance (and DJ quality) wasn't
consistant and it was canceled.
This rink is largely a community rink with a kid/family orientation.
There used to be a small artistic/dance club, but the instructor moved
on, and I'm not sure if the club still exists.
====
Bethlehem/Easton, PA 18017-9760
Skateaway Roller Rink
4500 William Penn Highway
Bethlehem is located in eastern Pennsylvania, about 50 miles north of
Philadelphia. Skateaway is located about midway between Bethlehem and
Easton along the William Penn Highway. From the PA Turnpike Northeast
Extension, get off at exit 33 and head east on US 22, then get off US 22
at the Rt 33 interchange. You want to head south, opposite from Rt 33.
Immediately after the cloverleaf, turn left to head east on Church Road,
then at the T-intersection with Bethman, turn right again to head south
on Bethman Avenue and proceed until you reach a diagonal intersection
with the William Penn Highway. Turn right and the rink should be about
a block west, on the left at the corner of Edelman Street.
610-865-4004
Wed 9:00 AM - 12:00 AM Morning Skate
Thurs 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM Whacky Wed (Family)
Fri 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM
Sat 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
8:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Sun 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
RSA Member Rink
USAC/RS Artistic, JO and Speed Clubs
====
Boyertown, PA 19512-9803
Pheasantland Rollerdrome (aka The Rink)
Manatawney Road
Boyertown is located in eastern Pennsylvania east of Reading and just
north of Pottstown. From US 422 in Pottstown, get off at Rt 100 and
head north on Rt 100 for about 7 miles to Rt 73. Turn left to head
west on Rt 73 and follow Rt 73 through Boyertown and then about five
miles further northwest through Shanesville. Watch on the left side
and there will be a sign for "The Rink" at Toll House Road. Turn
left onto Toll House, and then left again at the T-intersection onto
Manatawny Road. The rink is about a half-mile further, on the left
side, just before Spangsville Road.
610-689-9249
Fri 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM Kids & Teens - Top 40
Sat 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM Family Night - Top 40
Sun 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Top 40 (school year only)
*** hours vary in the summer (closed in July)
Wood Floor - 150'x65' - Good Condition
Snack Bar - Skate Shop - Game Room - Not Air-conditioned
RSA Member Rink
USAC/RS Hockey Club
According to the attendant, they don't have any adult sessions, but he
recommended the Saturday night Family night for any adult skaters.
The rink has an interesting barn-like building with an two-story house-
like office on the end. The skating floor is in the barn-like area, and
from the inside it seems like an old school gymnasium - rectangular with
a high ceiling and with windows up near the roofline. There's a small
stage at the far end for the organ. I thought it was a conversion of
an exiting barn or pheasant farm, but apprarently it was built in the
late 50's or early 60's and many of the rinks from that era were smaller
and not as standardized as those built during the 70's/80's boom.
The skating floor is wood, and is in surprisingly good condition. The
boards all run lengthwise but there's little or no washboard effect as
your go around the ends. There is one spot with a few warped boards
and ripples and another small spot is patched with dissimilar wood.
All in all it isn't bad, though it is kind of on the small side. The
walls have knotty-pine wainscotting, though this has been replaced
along one side of the floor with rather plain plywood sheathing.
The rink seems to draw mostly the local kids, it wasn't at all crowded
the day I dropped in. Although there's an organ on the stage, they
don't have any organ music sessions, just top-40 over a barely adequate
sound system. I guess they also do a reasonable party business, but
the overall air is that of a low-overhead family operation that's barely
hanging on at the current level of skating interest.
[ mikey@voicenet.com (Mike Knapp) - edited ]
Pheasantland is pretty cool. The things that come to mind are the
Blue Lights during slowskate, the Scoreboard hanging over the center,
and a dip in the floor on the side where the snack bar is located.
The floor is nice and sticky and the people are friendly. I've asked
the owners about my band playing there, but they said no, because of
complaints from the neighbors. There are pictures on the walls of the
old Kiss cover band which used to perform on the stage at one end of
the rink.
[ CcLandis@aol.com (Cindy Landis) - edited ]
Pheasantland Roller Rink was never a barn or a pheasant farm. The rink
has been around since the 60's. My parents met at Pheasantland and both
Bill Clark and later Ralph Brown used to play there. The organ on the
stage works but hasn't been used in years. The owner's husband used to
play but he passed away recently.
They have a very active roller hockey program with two or three players
being on current or past world teams. Their team also won the national
championship in 1976 and represented the US at the Pan-Am games and at
the Worlds. They no longer have any active speed or artistic programs
and all of their session times are for hockey and public skating.
Pheasatland is currently owned by the the Willauer's, a very nice family,
who bought it from the Coppersmith's back in 1970.
====
Caln/Thorndale/Downingtown, PA 19335
Caln Roller Rink
Business Rt 30
Downingingtown is located in southeastern Pennsylvania, about 30
miles west of Philadelphia. From US 202, get off at the new Rt 30
Bypass - Downingtown exit and then head west on the bypass towards
Downingtown. Get off at the Rt 322 - Manor Avenue exit, turn left
at the end of the ramp to head towards Downingingtown, then right
at the first traffic light onto Lloyd Avenue. At the next traffic
light, turn right onto Business Rt 30 and the rink will be on the
right, just past the VFW Hall, and behind the Carpet Warehouse.
610-269-6229/269-6420
Thur 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM Adult-18 Skate - Live Organ Music
Fri 7:30 PM - 11:00 PM Open - Top 40 DJ
Sat 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM Matinee
7:30 PM - 11:00 PM Open - Top 40 DJ
Sun 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM Matinee
5:30 PM - 9:00 PM Country Dance (not skating)
Hardwood - 170'x72' Rectanglar - Not Air Conditioned
Rink Safe In-lines Permitted
Rules Enforced With Considerable Tolerance
RSA Member Rink
USAC/RS JO and Speed Clubs
Caln has a medium sized wood floor, kept in very good condition and
possibly the best in the area when it's clean. Basically it's flat,
has no discernable washboarding, no tricky spots or warped boards and
they usually re-coat annually. There's a wood peripheral area most
of the way around the floor, with a couple of wider areas suitable for
practice when the rink isn't too crowded.
Adult skates have traditional live organ music by Nick Viscuso. Nick
plays well, with a good steady skating beat, but the music program seems
pretty rigid with only occasional seasonal variations. The problem is
apparently a small group of regulars that complain about any change or
if the music seems "too fast" or "too loud", which unfortunatly leads
to some other skaters saying "always the same" and quietly voting with
their feet.
There's a moderate crowd of adult skaters, though this tends to vary a lot
depending on the season - the rink isn't air conditioned and is miserable
in high summer. It can also be quite chilly in the winter unless someone
arrived early and remembered to turn up the heat. The open sessions are
generally crowded with school age kids and have little adult presence.
The staff is fairly strict, but tend to relax once they recognize you.
There are no firm rules against backwards skating at the adult session,
but jumps or practicing "dance steps" that might interfere with the
general flow are discouraged. The biggest problem is the lack of any
adult oriented session other than the traditional organ music stuff.
Af of January 1996, they have finally decided to allow in-line skates
at all sessions, after a brief fling with a Sunday evening in-line only
session. This is one small ray of hope for owners that seem to be
working on driving themselves out of the skating business - they've cut
session hours, dropped adult group lessons and built a miniature golf
course out back instead of repairing the air-conditioning and seem to
blame the skaters for declining interest instead of seeking ways to
build up the business and interest younger adults in addition to the
current aging and shrinking "adult" group.
The resident pro is Mike Bagnara, better known to the kids as Mr. Mike.
Mike's specialty is teaching groups of kids to skate and helping them
progress from the basics to more advanced moves, but he also teaches
adults and offers private artistic skating lessons. While there is no
artistic club at the rink, there is a strong speed club, coached by
Jim Wiederhold Sr.
[ mikey@voicenet.com (Mike Knapp) - edited ]
I've been to Caln twice - The first time was in the winter of '94,
when the roads were covered in the sheets of Ice. I drove all the
way down there with a friend on a Friday night to check it out!
We met a few people and decided to go again. I like Caln.
====
Danielsville, PA 18030
Edgemont Park Roller Rink
Rt 946 - Edgemont Park
Danielsville is located in eastern Pennsylvania, about 15 miles north
of Allentown and east of Lehighton on Rt 946. From the PA Turnpike
Northeast Extension, get off at exit 34 - Lehighton, and follow the
signs for the Blue Montain Ski resort. From the exit, head west on
US 209 towards Lehighton, then turn left to head southeast on Rt 248
for about 8 miles to Rt 946, turn left to heast northeast on Rt 946
for 3 miles to Danielsville. At the light, instead of going straight
to the Ski Area, turn left? and the rink will be up the road a ways on
the right-hand side.
610-767-1200
Fri 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Sat 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Sun 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
According to the attendant, they don't have any adult sessions and play
a mix of music including C&W, Rock and only a little Rap.
====
Drexel Hill, PA 19026
Neon Lights Roller Rink
830 Lansdowne Ave
Drexel High is located in southeastern Pennsylvania, in the Upper Darby
area southwest of Philadelphia. From I-476 - The Blue Route, get off at
the Rt 3 - West Chester Pike exit and head eastwards for about 2-1/2
miles towards Upper Darby. Just before the Rt 1 - Baltimore Pike
intersection at Llanerch, turn right and head south on Lansdowne Avenue.
The rink is located in a business area on the right side, opposite the
shopping center at the State Road intersection. It's not real obvious
from the road, but you should see a Casey's Ale House, and then turn in
at the "RBI Batting Cage" sign. The rink is in an old bowling alley
building at the rear of this parking lot.
610-446-9758
Tues 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM Adult-18 Night
Thurs 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Family Night
Fri 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Sat 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM under 10 Discount
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Sun 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Family Skate
Blue Plastic over Concrete Floor - about 80'x100'
In-line skates permitted and for rent.
This rink is located in an old bowling alley that was previously a family
fun center of some sort. Despite the "Neon Lights" name, the building
is fairly dark and non-descript with only a day-glo sign on the roof to
identify it as a roller rink. The floor appears to be blue plastic over
concrete, across the part of the building where the bowling lanes would
have been, fairly small and none too smooth.
I stopped by at the just as the rink was opening for a Friday evening
session, *all* kids and I didn't feel the inclination to skate. This is
a rink that serves mostly the white working/middle class local community -
kids, birthday parties and the like. They also apparently try to serve
the teen dance and party place market.
[ mikey@voicenet.com (Mike Knapp) - edited ]
Last season we made it to Neon Lights, which was nice, because the
lighting was different, actually neon. However, I won't go again,
it was small, and comparable to an elementary school play yard.
====
Gilbert, PA 18331
Inner Skate Arena
US 209 - Gilbert
610-???-????
Closed
They say they don't have roller skating any more...
====
Lehighton, PA 18235
LaRose's Skating Rink
US 209
Lehighton is located in eastern Pennsylvania, about 20 miles north
of Allentown. From the PA Turnpike Northeast Extension, get off at
exit 34 - Lehighton and head northeast on US 209, away from Lehighton.
The rink almost exactly a mile from the turnpike interchange.
610-377-1859
Fri 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM
Sat 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
7:30 PM - 10:30 PM
Sun 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
In-line skates prohibited
According to the attendant, Sunday afternoon is their Family skate, most
of the other sessions are for kids and young teens. They don't have any
sessions aimed at older teens or adults.
The rink has apparently been around since the 20's and is one of the oldest
continuously operating rinks in the country.
====
Macungie/Allentown, PA 18062-9602
The 100 Roller Skating Rink (aka The 100)
1609 Route 100
Macungie is located in eastern Pennsylvania, about 45 miles north
of Philadelphia and about 10 miles southwest of Allentown. The 100
Rink is located between Macungie and Trexlertown along Rt 100. From
the PA Turnpike Northeast Extension, get off at exit 33 - Allentown,
head west on I-78 and get off at the second exit to head south on
Rt 100. The rink is on the left, a mile or so past the intersection
with Rt 222 at Trexlertown.
610-398-0704
Thurs 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM Adult Nite - Live Organ Music
Fri 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM
Sat 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM
Sun 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM "Sock Hop"
*** summer hours differ, perhaps no adult night
Inlines Prohibited (may be allowed now)
Hardwood - Octagonal - 160'x65' - good condition
RSA Member Rink
This is yet another nice semi-rural rink to the south of Allentown. It
is nicely maintained, with a friendly staff. I caught the last hour of
an open session which was all kids, but farily well disciplined, then a
great special late-night organ session with Ralph Brown and Marty Dumic,
who usually play at the the Shillington and Olympic rinks respectively.
Apparently there is now a regular Thursday Adult session with Ralph Brown
at the organ. The rink has an impressive sound system for organ music -
four Bazooka style Bose "Sound Cannons" suspended from the ceiling deliver
some solid bass notes while many smaller speakers behind grilles in the
suspended ceiling handle the mid-range and treble.
The floor is just a little bit smaller than average and in generally
very good condition. It is kept clean is is nicely coated for a good
feel, but there are several places where boards have warped a little
creating minor lengthwise grooves which sometimes catch you by surprise.
[ mikey@voicenet.com (Mike Knapp) - edited ]
The 100 has an Awesome floor and a great sound system and sound, but they
have really strict rules and annoying security.
====
Muhlenburg/Reading, PA 19605
Fantasy Skating Center
550 George Street at Beltline Ave.
Muhlenburg is located in southeastern Pennsylvania, just north of
Reading off Rt 222 by the Fairgrounds Square Mall. From Reading,
head north on the Rt 222 bypass, and get off at the Rt 222 North
exit and head north for about a quarter mile. George Street will
be just before the new Mall on the left, turn left just before the
Boscov's Garden Center and the rink will be on your left after the
first cross street. There's only a small non-lighted sign and the
building itself is dark, but it's opposite a tire/brake center.
610-929-3147
Tues 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Thurs 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM Adult Morning Session
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Fri 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM (see note)
Sat 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
6:30 PM - 9:00 PM (see note)
Sun 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
*** evening sessions may shift an hour later in the winter, call!
Wood Floor - 160'x72' - Very Good Condition
Skate Shop - Snack Bar
RSA Member Rink
USAC/RS Artistic and JO Clubs
Fantasy is a nice, family owned and oriented rink just north of Reading.
The floor is the standard size for this area, though there's not a lot
of extra space in the building, just a narrow snack bar and skate rental
area, with seating down one side and one party room. The floor is quite
nice, smooth and clean. The odd thing is that the boards are only about
an inch wide instead of the normal width, but this doesn't hurt things a
bit and it's smoother than a lot floors in the area.
The only adult oriented session is the one morning session, all other
sessions are open admission, with mostly kids and younger teens present.
I visited on a Saturday night, and it was pretty much what you'd expect
for a kids session, wheel-barrow pushing, races and whatnot. The sound
system was wretched - tinny and distorted. The music was a mix of rock
and top-40, more in the "playing records" than DJ mode.
There is an artistic program at this rink, and one teenaged girl was
trying to practice in the center when I was there, but she couldn't
really do much before a pack of kids would dart by. I suspect that as
the local teens get more mobile, they move on to the Skateaway rink on
the other side of town, which has a better sound system and more teen
and adult oriented sessions.
====
Pottstown, PA 19464
Ringing Rocks Roller Rink
1500 Park Road
Ringing Rocks Park is located in southeastern Pennsylvania, about
three miles north of Pottstown. From US 422, get off at the Rt 100 -
Pottstown exit and head north on Rt 100. After crossing the river,
turn right on Rt 663 - West High Street. After a few blocks, 663
will veer left to head north on Charlotte. Follow this through town
and you'll pass a shopping center on the right, and then come to
White Pine road near the crest of the hill. There are some small
lighted signs on the right for the fire company that say BINGO and
ROLLER SKATING. Turn right and follow White Pine back to the fire
house, then bear left onto Park Road and you'll see the rink ahead,
an old rustic looking building.
610-323-6560
Fri 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM
Sat 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
7:30 PM - 10:30 PM
Sun 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Wood Floor - 90'x60' - good condition - small practice floor
In-line and Outdoor skates prohibited
RSA Member Rink
Ringing Rocks is an old park/picnic area overlooking Pottstown. The rink
building appears to be the original central pavilion and arcade for the
park, built in a rustic lodge style. Sadly, while the outside promises
a high, beamed ceiling with skylight windows, a suspended ceiling blocks
view of any interior details. Still, the building has a pleasant rustic
design with stone columns, old woodwork and painted murals.
The skating floor is very small, but it's smooth and in good condition.
Since it's above ground level, it's suspended on floor beams and has a
nice, resilient feel. The building is rather cramped, without a lot of
off-floor standing room. Along one one side is the skate rental, a DJ
booth and some low bleachers. The opposite side is a raised stage usable
as a practice floor or kiddy area. The entry and a snack bar are in a
romm off third side.
According to the attendant, they don't have any adult sessions, but there
are somewhat fewer young kids at the Sunday night session. I happened by
on Saturday night - mostly children and young teenagers. I think this
would be a great place to rent for a small private skating party, but it
doesn't offer adults much beyond a certain rustic ambience.
[ mikey@voicenet.com (Mike Knapp) - edited ]
Ringing Rocks has a sticky floor, but it is too small and the music
is bad. The crowd is mostly teens.
====
Pottstown, PA 19464
Sanatoga Roller Skating
Ridge Pike at the old Rt 422 bypass ramp
Sanatoga is located in southeastern Pennsylvania, just east of Pottstown
along Ridge Pike. From the Philadephia area, take I-76 to the Valley
Forge interchange, head briefly south on US 202 and then west on US 422
towards Pottstown. Get off at the Sanatoga exit and head north on the
connecting road to Ridge Pike, then turn right to head eastward on Ridge
Pike, away from Sanatoga. Follow Ridge Pike for about a quarter mile
till you're past the ramp leading back to US 422 and then make a U-turn.
The rink will be on the right, along Ridge Pike just past the ramp.
610-323-1884
Wed 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Thurs 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Fri 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Sat 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Sun 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Wood Floor - 100'x120' - Fair Condition
This is a small rink, in a building which resembles an airplane hanger -
a large arched center section, with the floor crosswise under the arch
and the snack bar and party areas under wings on either side. The floor
is wood, in reasonably good condition, but small and of odd proportions,
almost more square than rectangular.
They don't have any special adult sessions, and the rink serves mostly
the kids and younger teens in the area. The sound system is no more
than adequate and they played a mix of rock and heavy metal when I was
there.
[ mikey@voicenet.com (Mike Knapp) - edited ]
Sanatoga is really one of the worst rinks in the area, but I grew up
skating there. I don't skate there anymore, the owner seems like she
doesn't want anyone over 15 skating in the place. Back when I was
skating there, I thought the people were cool, but didn't realize yet
that it was just a playground. The music sounds bad.
The floor is about 110x100, bare wood, and when you skate across the
middle you get a major washboard effect. In the winter, most of the
heat seems to come from a kerosene space heater in the snack bar and so
everyone floods in there to stay warm. In the summer the rink is just
too hot to go to.
====
Shillington/Reading, PA 19607-2341
Skateaway
401 Lancaster Pike West (Rt 222)
Shillington is located in southeastern Pennsylvania, about 5 miles
southwest of Reading. From the Pennsylvania Turnpike, get off at
exit 22 - Morgantown/Reading and head towards Morgantown. After you
pass the outlet Mall, turn right and then right again onto the I-176
entrance. Get off at I-176 at exit 1 - Rt 724 and turn left at the
ramp to head west towards Shillington on Rt 724. Follow Rt 724 for
about 5 miles west, but watch out for a brief zig-zag where it joins
and then immediately diverges from Rt 10. In Shillington, bear left
onto Rt 222 and the rink will be about a half mile further on the left.
It sits down down from the road a little, past a shopping center and
next to a car dealer, so you need to watch carefully. If you happen
to be heading east on the turnpike, or just want a simpler route, get
off the Turnpike at exit 21 - Reading/Lebanon - Rt 222 and then head
northeast on Rt 222 for about 9 miles to the Shillington area.
610-777-4000
Tues 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM Afternoon Skate
Wed 10:00 AM - NOON Coffee Time
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM Wacky Wednesday
Fri 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM Kids 13 and under only
Sat 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM Family Matinee
8:00 PM - 11:00 PM Teens 13 and up only
Sun 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM Family Matinee
7:30 PM - 10:30 PM Live Organ - Adult or "experienced" only
Hardwood - 160 x 80 - Rectangular with clipped corners
Rink Safe In-lines Permitted at seme sessions - call
RSA Member Rink
USAC/RS Artistic and JO Clubs
Shillington is only a medium sized rink, but the Sunday night live organ
music session draws skaters from all over the eastern Pennsylvania area.
Ralph Brown is a great organist and plays a mix of music - traditional
organ music, show tunes and rock/popular music. He usually plays straight
though the session, and there are times when there's more energy in his
fingers than endurance in your legs and you just have to take a break!
The session follows the traditional format with various couples only,
waltz, two-step and fast/shuffle couples skates. There is a fairly
extensive set of dance steps in the later part of the session, and a
second set at the end. The skill level seems mixed, some strictly
social and some competitive level dance skaters, who can be disruptive
when they forget their manners and grossly interfere with the social
skaters patterns.
The faster numbers are the provice of the local shuffle/pack skaters.
They will dodge you, but you'll be more comfortable if you keep track of
where the packs are and give them room by the barrier to get past in
formation.
Ralph also plays Thursdays at the "100" rink near Allentown, odd nights at
other eastern Pennsylvania rinks and fills in at the Holiday rink in New
Jersey when Bill Clark is on vacation. He likes to do special sessions,
sometimes with other organists, or at rinks that don't normally have any
live organ music sessions. He has a loyal crowd of skaters that follow
him to these events and he maintains a mailing list to advise skaters of
upcoming events. You can reach Ralph via e-mail at RBrown8962@aol.com.
[ mikey@voicenet.com (Mike Knapp) - edited ]
The floor at Skateaway is very sticky. The crowds at the Friday and
Saturday evening sessions are mostly in their late teens, the music
is almost all Rap, with a lot of white kids trying to dress and act
is if they were black, and there are no slow skates.
====
Sinking Spring/Reading, PA 19608
Sinking Spring Skate Arena
94 Park Ave - Willow Glen Park
West of Reading along Rt 422
610-???-????
Closed
The old dance pavilion in Willow Glen Park (aka Socialist Park) was
operated as a roller skating rink from 1938 to 1994, but was falling
on hard times and closed in 1994. The rink building had been damanged
during the 1993-1994 winter and finally torn down for salvage lumber
in 1995. From what I understand, this was a small rink with a both a
low ceiling and posts obstructing the skating floor.
====
Sinking Spring/Reading, PA 19608
Herb Texter's Starlight Skating
Vinemont Road, 2 miles off Rt 222
Skinking Spring is located in southeastern Pennsylvania, about 5 miles
west of Reading. Starlight is out in the country, south of Sinking
Spring, near the village of Vinemont. From the Pennsylvania Turnpike,
get off at exit 21 and head north on US 222, across Rt 897 and past
where Rt 272 merges into US 222. Watch out for a diagonal intersection
with Old Lancaster Pike, just before the Harley-Davidson dealer on the
right, then turn left to cut back southward on Old Lancaster Pike. The
second road on the right will be Vinemont Road, it's marked and there's
an un-lighted sign showing a roller skate. Turn right onto Vinemont
and after a couple miles of twisty-turny, the rink will be on the left.
610-777-2969
Fri 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Sat 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Sun 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
This looks like an older rink that's in the middle of nowhere, perhaps
a bit rundown.
According to the manager, they don't have any adult nights, anybody can
come. There's also some kind of ice rink, not currently operating, and
perhaps some other picnic/recreation facilities.
====
Temple/Reading, PA 19560
Timberine Ice Skating Center (aka Timberline Twin Arenas)
Old Pricetown Road
Temple is located just north for Reading. If you are heading
north on the US 222 Bypass, stay on the bypass instead of getting
of at the US 222 North exit, this section is called the Warren
Street Bypass. Get off at the Spring Valley Road exit, turn left
at the end of the exit ramp and the rink will be just a little
ways down Pricetown Road.
610-929-0808(tape)/926-4204
Hockey
As of June 1996, Timberline has opened an in-line roller hockey rink
right outside the existing Timberline ice rink. According to the owner
this new roller hockey rink will be open 12 months a year, instead
of 7 months like the ice hockey rink, but it is for roller hockey
only, no plans recreational skating sessions.
====
Villanova/Radnor/Bryn Mawr, PA 19010-3341
Villanova Skating Center (was Radnor Rolls)
789 West Lancaster Avenue - Rt 30
Villanova is located in southeastern Pennsylvania, about 15 miles west
of Philadelphia along the Main Line. From I-476 - the Blue Route, get
of at the US 30 exit and head east on Rt 30 towards Bryn Mawr. Just
after passing back under I-476, there is a small shopping center on
the left, turn left between the shopping center and the restaurant,
the rink is located back around behind the shopping center.
610-527-7465
Mon 9:30 AM - noon Adult Coffee & Donut Skate
Tues 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM Adult-18 DJ
Thurs 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM Family Night
Fri 11:30 PM - 1:30 PM Luncheon Skate (starts May '96)
4:30 PM - 7:00 PM After School Session
8:00 PM - 11:00 PM Evening Session
Sat 1:30 PM - 5:00 PM Matinee
8:00 PM - 11:00 PM Evening Session
Sun 1:30 PM - 5:00 PM Matinee
In-lines allowed and for rent, popular with the kids.
Hardwood - Oval - 160 x 85
USAC/RS Artistic and JO Clubs
Villanova has just (12/95) reopened after a complete rennovation that
replaced the old warped floor with a new larger one, enlarged the
building and generally brightened things up. The new floor is nicely
done, but could really have used a bit more sanding in the name of
flatness.
The rink is under new ownership/management, even if there are some
familiar faces on the staff, but it's a bit soon to tell how things
will work out. I've attended a couple of Tuesday adult nights and it
looked much better than what they'd had previously. They now have a
professional DJ most of the time, and a number of skaters I recognized
from the Philadelphia area seem to feel it's the best Top-40 option
around for Tuesday night.
They offer adult group lessons, apparently mostly "learn to skate"
before the Tuesday session, and also some "in-line" and "hockey" clinics.
They have any active roller hockey program, but apparently little in
the way of artistic activity. An instructor who used to teach there
mentioned that the new management basically wasn't willing to schedule
enough practice/private lesson time to make instructing there worthwhile,
but they still mention private instruction in their literature.
====
Whitehall/Allentown, PA 18052-2922
Skateaway Roller Rink
3900 Lehigh Street at Mac Arthur Road
Allentown is located in eastern Pennsylvania, about 50 miles north
of Philadelphia. Whitehall is in the northern part of Allentown. From
the US 22 - Lehigh Valley Thruway, get off at the Rt 145 - Mac Arthur
Road exit and head north on Mac Arthur for about two miles. Lehigh
Street will be on the right, and the rink should be at the intersection.
610-432-5002
Tues 10:00 AM - noon? Organ Music
Wed 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Fri 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM
Sat 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
7:45 PM - 10:45 PM
Sun 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
RSA Member Rink
USAC/RS Artistic Coach
According to the attendant, they don't have any special adult sessions,
but do have a Tuesday morning session where they play organ music.
========================================================================
Pennsylvania (717) - Central and Northeastern
Gettysburg, Harrisburg, Hershey, Lancaster, Scranton
Phone numbers and addresses checked against a CD-ROM directory 1/96,
also RSA directory and USAC/RS directory.
This should be essentially all the roller rinks in the 717 area code.
====
Berwick, PA 18603
Stenko's Skating Rink
1156 6th Avenue
Berwick is in northeastern Pennsylvania, between Williamsport and
Wilkes-Barre. From I-80, get off at exit 36 - US 11 and head east
on US 11, towards Berwick, for about 5 miles, then turn onto Warren
Street. Follow Warren across Rt 93 then about half a mile further
till you cross a little bridge, then turn right onto 6th Avenue.
The rink should be near the middle of the block on the right, in or
next to Stenko's Bowling Lanes.
717-752-3005
Fri 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Sat 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM
7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Sun 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM
According to the attendant their sessions are mostly for younger kids,
but there are more parents at the Sunday afternoon session.
====
Bloomsburg, PA 17815-3262
Skatetown
2845 Skatetown Rd.
Bloomsburg is in northeastern Pennsylvania, between Williamsport
and Wilkes-Barre. From I-80, get off at exit 36 - US 11 and head
west on US 11, towards Bloomsburg, for about 4 miles, then turn left
onto Edgar Avenue near the Wal-Mart. Skatetown Road is the second
left turn off Edgar, after the Tractor Parts place, from there the
rink should be obvious.
717-784-3580
Thurs 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM Adult Night - Oldies
Fri 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Sat 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM Teen Skating
10:00 PM - 12:00 PM Teen Dancing
Sun 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM
6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Hardwood floor - Medium Size - Good Condition
Snack Bar
In-line skates permitted and available for rental
RSA Member Rink
USAC/RS Hockey Club
According to the attendant they play a mix of oldies and newer music at
the adult session, the other evening sessions are aimed at teens.
[ S_RJMARQUETT@vaxa.clarion.edu (RJ Marquette) ]
This rink, although not the largest, is the nicest rink I've been in.
The floor is stained dark and looks very good. The walls have a fantasy
scene painted on them (nothing specific) that is also nice to look at.
he snack bar, and most of the rest of the rink, is kept spotlessly clean.
Their Adult night - 25 and older - is Thursday nights, they tend to play
oldies music that night.
This rink is well worth the trip up there.
====
Carlisle, PA 17013-9103
Midway Skating Rink
1561 Holly Pike
Carlisle is located in southern Pennsylvania, about 15 miles south-
west of Harrisburg. From I-81, get off at the Rt 34 - Holley Pike
exit and head south, away from Carlisle for about 2 miles. The rink
will be on your left, right before the large bowling alley.
717-243-7829
Thurs 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Fri 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM
Sat 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
7:30 PM - 10:30 PM
Sun 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
7:30 PM - 10:30 PM Country Line Dancing - Not Skating!
Yellow Plastic Floor - 160'x72' - Oval - Good Condition
Skate Shop - Snack Bar - Games - Air Conditioned
In-line Skates permitted and available for rent
This is a nice rink, with a glassy smooth plastic over chipboard floor.
The floor is about average size, but it seemed a bit narrow, perhaps
because it abuts directly on the rear wall. A blue line marks of a
center area, but there are no figure circles.
They don't have any adult sessions and I dropped in on a Saturday night,
it was mostly kids and teens. The DJ was doing a reasonable job and
nobody seemed to object to my skating backwards. There was a Hammond
B-3 organ in one corner with a separate speaker system, so perhaps
they do have some dance activity, maybe a daytime session?
The rink has a nice skate shop and the staff seemed quite friendly.
====
Carlisle, PA 17013-05111
Carlisle Sports Emporium
29 South Middlesex Road
From the Pennsylvania Turnpike, get of at exit 16 - Carlisle and
head north on US 11 for about 1/2 mile, then turn right onto
Middlesex Road. This road isn't obvious, there's only a small
street sign on the corner, but it's the corner with the "Mature
Fantasy Video" shop. The Emporium is about a quarter mile down
on the left, the rink is in the large new building.
717-258-4741
Tues 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Thurs 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Fri 7:30 PM - 11:00 PM
Sat 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
7:30 PM - 10:00 PM
10:30 PM - 1:00 AM 16 & up only
Sun 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
7:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Wood Floor - 140'x70'? - Rectangular - New
Skate Shop - Snack Bar - Games - Air Conditioned
In-line skates permitted and availble for rent
[ net gleanings ]
The Sports Emporium is a multi-sport facility with a go-cart track that
announced plans in January 1996 to add a new two story building that
would include a 70'x180' roller skating rink on the second floor and
a smaller laser tag area. On the first floor would be batting cages,
indoor go carts, and the usual arcade and concession areas.
According to the news report the new facilities would be open in April
but when I called in mid-August, the attendant said that they were behind
schedule but that the rink would be opening in a few weeks, and it turned
out the the "Official Grand Opening" occured November 16, although the
rink had apparently been operating earlier.
[ grr ]
I skated here on the Grand Opening weekend. The floor is a bit smaller
than the average size. Unlike some of the other new floors I've skated
on, it is nicely laid and in fine condition, although a bit slippery.
They have a good sound system and the DJ was playing a decent Top-40 mix
from CD's. They have a variety of high-tech lights, strobes and a smoke
generator. Overall the effect was "roller disco", but a litle more fill
lighting would improve visibility and orientation.
The skating floor is on the second floor of the new arcade building.
It's modern steel and concrete construction, so there's no bounce, but
everything is nice and new. There's a snack bar that seemed to offer
mostly pizza and soda, with more options downstairs. There are seating
and party areas at one end, and an area that can be used as sort of a
stage at the other. There's also a room connected to the snack bar that
appears to be a skate shop, but it wasn't organized yet.
The session I attended was the 16 YO & up Saturday late skate. When
I got there there was a moderate crowd, mostly on rentals and in-lines,
but that thinned out and after midnight, there were only a few hardcore
skaters still going. I think the rink has good prospects, the other
attractions should draw a reasonable crowd of families and teens for
casual skating and they may eventually draw a loyal crowd of people
coming to specificially to skate. It's a formula that can work, as
long as the owner want to include a rink, but it's just too far from
where I live to justify repeated visits.
====
Chambersburg, PA 17201-1435
Red Bridge Park Roller Rink
1993 Philadelphia Avenue
Chambersburg is located in southern Pennsylvania, about 25 miles west
of Gettysburg. From I-81, get off at at the US 30 - Lincoln Highway
exit and head west, into Chambersburg, then turn right to head north
on Rt 11 - Philadelphia avenue for about two miles. The rink should
be on the left, just after Siloam Road, in the Red Bridge area.
717-264-9916
RSA Member Rink
====
Dallas/Wilkes-Barre, PA 18612
Rollaway Skating Rink
Memorial Highway
Dallas is located in northeastern Pennsvylvania, about 9 miles west
of Wilkes-Barre. From I-81, get off at the Rt 309 exit and head
west on Rt 309, though Wilkes-Barre and Kingston, for about 10 miles
to Dallas. Bear left onto Rt 118 where Rt 309 forks off, the rink
should be on Rt 118 - The Memorial Highway, near Dallas.
717-675-4844
RSA Member Rink
====
Danville, PA 17821-9122
Magic River Skateland
1408 Danville-Bloomsburg Highway.
Danville is located in central Pennsylvania, about 25 miles south-
east of Williamsport. From I-80, get off at the Rt 54 exit, and
head southeast on Rt 54 towards Danville, then turn left onto US 11 -
the Danville-Bloomsburg Highway. The rink is probably a mile or
so east of town along US 11.
717-275-1473
Wed 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Fri 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Sat 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM
7:00 PM - 11:30 PM Skate/Sock Hop
Sun 7:30 PM - 4:30 PM
7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Plastic floor - Very Small - Good Condition
Skate Shop - Snack Bar - Games - Pool Table(s) - Air Conditioned
In-line skates permitted.
RSA Member Rink
According to the attendant they don't have any adult session, but there
are more adult skaters at the Friday evening session. They suggested
the rink in Bloomsburg on Thursdays for an adult session.
[ S_RJMARQUETT@vaxa.clarion.edu (RJ Marquette) ]
Magic River has a skate shop, snack bar, some video/pinball games, and
a pool table or two. They are also air-conditioned. The floor is in
decent condition despite its small size.
This isn't a bad rink - the owners are nice people, but the small floor
limits any speed skating whatsoever. I used to go to Magic River on a
fairly regular basis, but haven't been there in more than two years.
====
Enola/Harrisburg, PA 17025-2325
Olympic Skating Center
60 East Shadey Lane (off Rt 11/15)
Enola is located in southern Pennsylvania, across the river and a
bit north of Harrisburg. From the Pennsylvania Turnpike, get off at
exit 19 - Harrisburg East - I-283, and and head north on I-283 and
then I-83 to I-81, then west on I-81 across the river. Get off at the
first exit, and head south on Rt 11/15. This runs along a commercial
strip beside rail yards on the banks of the Susquehanna River. The
rink is about 1-1/2 miles south, on the right at Shadey Lane.
717-732-9168
Tues 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM Organ Night - Live
Thurs 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Fri 7:30 PM - 11:00 PM
Sat 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
7:30 PM - 10:30 PM
10:30 PM - 1:00 AM
Sun 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Hardwood - 160'x70' - Oval
In-line Skates Permitted
USAC/RS Artistic, JO and Speed Clubs
This is a nice rink just across the river from Harrisburg. I just stopped
in during a Saturday night all-ages session as I was returning from another
expedition, but it seemed friendly and well run. Apparently, the late nite
Saturday session runs more towards the high-school crowd and the only adult
oriented session is the Tuesday night session with Marty Dumic at the organ.
[ S_RJMARQUETT@vaxa.clarion.edu (RJ Marquette) ]
Olympic had some problems with a certain crowd of people, and to control
those problems they changed the music format of their Friday and Saturday
sessions from Top-40 to Country, Alternative and Classic rock, with the
intention of breaking up the Top-40 crowd.
The floor is kept very clean, but some of the rink facilities are a bit
rough though - benches are worn, that kind of thing. They have a large
wooden floor and ask the faster skaters to stick to the outside, it's
large enough that this works, so that the people trying to learn or do
tricks have room without running into everyone else.
I've been warned that you should rent a locker for your stuff here. I've
never seen anything stolen, but it can happen.
====
Hanover, PA 17331-5141
Magic Elm Skateland
625 West Elm Avenue
Hannover is located in southern Pennsylvania, about midway between York
and Gettysburg. From I-83, get off at the US 30 exit and head west on
US 30 for about 18 miles towards Gettysburg. At Rt 94 - Carlisle Pike,
turn left to head south on Rt 94 for about 5 miles into Hannover, then
turn right onto Elm Avenue. The rink should be on the right, just
past High Street, by some old railroad tracks.
717-632-1888
RSA Member Rink
====
Hazleton, PA 18201-6304
Hazleton Skate Center
108 West Broad Street
Hazleton is located in eastern Pennsylvania, about 25 miles south of
Wilkes-Barre. From I-81, get off at the Rt 924 exit and head east
for about 4 miles into Hazleton. Bear right onto Broad Street, the
rink is about a half-mile further, on the right side between Church
Street and Laurel Street.
Closed
This rink apparently closed within the last few years. I remember my
sisters going to skate here in the 60's when we went up to visit our
grandparents, and it seemed like a dark and dingy holdover from an
earlier age even back then...
====
Herndon, PA 17830
The Skatery
Rt 225 north of Pillow
Herndon is located in central Pennsylvania, about 30 miles north of
Harrisburg, along the Susquehanna River. From I-81, get off at the
US 209 exit, and head west on US 209, away from Pottsville, for about
11 miles and then north on Rt 225. The rink is along Rt 225, between
the village of Pillow and Herndon.
717-758-1775
Wood Floor - Small
RSA Member Rink
This is a farily small rink with a wood floor. They have some day-time
dance/organ music sessions, attended mostly by older skaters. The owners
are friendly, helpful, and committed to the skaters at the rink.
====
Honesdale, PA 18431-1906
Just Not Skating
1050 Main Street
Honesdale is located in northeastern Pennsylvania, about 10 miles
northeast of Scranton. From I-81, get off at the US 6 exit and
head northeast on US 6 for about 9 miles into Honesdale. Turn
right to follow US 6 south on Main Street, the rink should be a
couple blocks further, on the right between Eleventh Street and
Chapel Street.
717-253-4301
Small
From what I understand, this rink is somewhere betweeen small and tiny.
====
Honey Grove, PA 17035-9801
Woodside Roller Rink
RFD 1 - Honey Grove
Honey Grove is locate in central Pennsylvania, roughly 40 miles north-
west of Harrisburg. From I-81, get off at the US 22 exit north of
Harrisburg and follow US 22 northwest for about 35 miles, get off at
the Rt 75 exit and head south on Rt 75, though Port Royal and about
15 miles down to Honey Grove.
717-734-3564
====
Jim Thorpe, PA 18229
Memorial Hall Skating Rink
East 10th Street
Jim Thorpe is located in eastern Pennsylvania, about 5 miles north
of Lehighton. From the PA Turnpike Northeast Extension, get off at
exit 34 - Lehighton - US 209 and head northwest on US 209 for about
5 miles, then head north on Rt 903 - River Street, across the bridge
and up through Jim Thorpe for about a mile, then turn right onto
East 10th Street. The rink is probably in the second block, across
Center Street.
717-325-3201 (no answer)
According to the town office, this is a roller rink and still open, but
I haven't been able to get though to the rink. It apparently doubles
as a banquet/conference room, your probably need to call during office
hours, rather than skating hours.
====
Kingston/Wilkes-Barre, PA 18704-5803
Roller King Skating Center
500 3rd Ave
Kingston is located in northeastern Pennsylvania, on the opposite
shore of Susquehanna river from Wilkes-Barre. From I-81, get off at
the Rt 309, Wilkes-Barre exit and head northwest on Rt 309, across
the river and then get off at the first exit - Rutter Avenue. Head
southwest on Rutter and make the first left onto Church. Church will
end at 3rd Avenue, the rink should be somewhere along 3rd between here
and Pierce Street.
717-283-0606
Wed 7:00 PM - 10:30 PM Adult Nite
Thurs 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Fri 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
8:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Sat 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
8:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Sun 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
====
Lancaster, PA 17603-4633
Castle Roller Skating
1400 Elm Ave
Lancaster is located in southern Pennsylvania, about midway between
Harrisburg and Wilmington, Delaware. From the Pennsylvania Turnpike,
get of at exit 21 - US 222 - Lancaster/Reading and head southwest
towards Lancaster. At the Rt 30 bypass, head west on the bypass to
Rt 741, and then south on Rt 741 to Columbia Avenue - Rt 462. Head
east on Rt 462 for about a mile, then turn right onto Elm Avenue,
just before the Stone Mill Plaza. The rink should be just around
the bend where Elm turns to parallel Columbia Avenue.
717-393-3126
Tues 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Wed 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Fri 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM
7:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Sat 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM
7:30 PM - 11:30 PM
Sun 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
RSA Member Rink
USAC/RS Artistic and JO Clubs
I've heard that the floor here is pretty sad...
====
Lancaster, PA 17601-3802
Overlook Roller Skating Rink (aka Overlook Activites Center)
2042 Lititz Pike
Lancaster is located in southern Pennsylvania, about midway between
Harrisburg and Wilmington, Delaware. From the Pennsylvania Turnpike,
get of at exit 21 - US 222 - Lancaster/Reading and head southwest
towards Lancaster. At the Rt 30 bypass, head west on the bypass to
Rt 501 - Lititz Pike and then head northwards on Lititz Pike. The
rink is about a mile past the US 30 Bypass, on the left by the Overlook
Golf Course.
717-569-2071
Fri 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM Top-40
Sat 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Top-40
7:30 PM - 11:30 PM 1st and 3rd Saturday *only* - Top-40
According to the attendant they don't have any special adult sessions -
they used to, but not enough people came. From what I understand, this
is a nice rink, with just not enough local customers.
====
Lancaster, PA 17603
Regency Sports Rink
2155 Ambassador Circle
Lancaster is located in southern Pennsylvania, about midway between
Harrisburg and Wilmington, Delaware. From the Pennsylvania Turnpike,
get of at exit 21 - US 222 - Lancaster/Reading and head southwest
towards Lancaster. At the Rt 30 bypass, head west on the bypass to
Rt 741, and then south on Rt 741 to Columbia Avenue - Rt 462. Regency
is located behind the Jamesway store in the shopping area near the
Rt 741 / Columbia Avenue intersection.
717-391-6370
Seasonal
Hockey
Regency is basically a seasonal hockey rink, offering ice hockey and
figure skating during the winter and roller/street hockey the rest of
the year. They don't offer any conventional roller skating sessions.
====
Lebanon, PA 17042-5731
Casino Roller Rink
2391 West Oak Street
Casino is at the southwestern end of Lebanon. From downtown, head west
on US 422, then turn left to head south on 16th street, cross Walnut and
then turn right onto Oak. The rink should be between 23rd street and
the creek.
Closed
This rink was destroyed by fire in January 1996. Apparently structural
damage to the roof trusses caused by heavy snowfall led to an electrical
fault a few days later which caused the fire. The owner noticed smoke
but was unable to control the fire with an extinguisher and because of
winter conditions by the time the fire company was ready to work, it was
too late to save the rink.
====
Lewistown, PA 17044-1967
Carousel Roller rink (was Roller's Roost)
101 Union Avenue
Lewiston is located in central Pennsylvania, roughly 45 miles north-
west of Harrisburg. From I-81, get off at the US 22 exit north of
Harrisburg and follow US 22 northwest for about 45 miles to Lewiston,
then about a mile further out the west side town to Union Avenue.
Turn right onto Union, the rink is probably in the second block.
717-248-5586
Thurs 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Christian Music
Fri 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM Public Session
Sat 10:00 PM - 12:00 PM Beginners Session
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM Public Session
Small floor - Poor Condition
Snack Bar - No Airconditioning
[ S_RJMARQUETT@vaxa.clarion.edu (RJ Marquette) - edited ]
I was to this rink once about 4 or 5 years ago, and the floor was rough
and small - there were cracks and such across it. It reminds me of old
linoleum. They do have a snack bar and a pool table or two, I believe.
They did play an interesting mix of music that wouldn't have been bad
to skate to, though. I haven't been back; the place is an hour from my
house and not worth the drive. If you are in the area you may want to
stop in, but I don't plan on making a special trip for it.
The crowd seemed to be mostly high schoolers from the area - that's what
I was when I was there, so I didn't really notice anything unusual. I
don't know if they allow inline skates; I haven't been there since I
bought a pair.
[grr]
According to the attendent it's now under new ownership, but I don't
know if anthing's changed beyond the name.
====
Lock Haven, PA 17745-3512
Magic River Skateland
501 East Walnut
Lock Haven is located in central Pennsylvania, about 40 miles west of
Williamsport. From US 220, get off Rt 664 - Jay Street - Lockhaven
exit and head north into Lockhaven. Go a few blocks and turn onto
Walnut Street, the rink will be on the right just after crossing the
railroad tracks.
717-748-6670
Wed 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Fri 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Sat 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM
7:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Sun 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM
According to the manager, they don't have any adult nights. They've tried
them in the past and haven't gotten enough skaters. They are considering
an oldies night for spring '96.
====
Matamoras, PA 18336-2000
Big Wheel North
450 Rose Lane
Matamoras is located in northeastern Pennsylvania, across the Delaware
River from Port Jervis, New York. From I-84, get off at the US 209 -
Pennsylvania Avenue exit, turn right onto Pennsylvania, and immediately
right onto Rose Lane. The rink should near a Best Western motel.
717-491-1117
Thurs 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Fri 7:30 PM - 11:00 PM
Sat 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
7:30 PM - 11:00 PM
Sun 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
RSA Member Rink
USAC/RS Hockey Coaches
According to the attendant, they don't have any adult sessions, but the
Thursday session is less crowded, with few kids. They play a mix of top-40
and dance music at all sessions.
====
Mayfield, PA 18433
The Rink at Racqueteers Fitness
603 US 6
Mayfield is located in northeastern Pennsylvania, between Scranton and
Carbondale. From I-81, get off at the US 6 exit and head northeast
on US 6 for about 9 miles to the Mayfield area. The rink is in a large
building on the left side of US 6, perhaps marked as the Raqueteers
Fitness Center.
717-876-5432
Fri 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Sat 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Sun 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
RSA Member Rink
====
Middleburg, PA 17842
Criss-Cross
12 North Creamery Avenue
Middleburg is located in central Pennsylvania, about 35 miles north of
Harrisburg and west of Selinsgrove. From I-80, get off at the US 15
exit, head south on US 15 for about 15 miles to Selinsgrove and then
head west on US 522 for about 9 miles towards Middleburg. Creamery
Street is on the eastern edge of town, turn right and the rink should
be nearby, behind a Turkey Hill mini-mart.
717-837-0649
Fri 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
9:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Sat 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
*** rink may close during the summer
Concrete Foor - Very Small
RSA Member Rink
[ S_RJMARQUETT@vaxa.clarion.edu (RJ Marquette) ]
Criss Cross is in my hometown, but I haven't been to the rink in more
than 5 or 6 years. That should tell you something - I always drive to
the Sunset rink in Shamokin Dam instead.
Criss Cross was recently purchased and added on to. The rumour was
that they were going to make the exceptionally small floor larger, but
instead they simply added pool tables. I understand they did brighten
it up inside, but that only goes so far with a small concrete floor.
The main clientelle of this rink seems to be locals who don't really
want to skate, they don't care for outsiders and keep trying to pick
fights. They mostly just want a place where they can go to smoke and
play pool, the fact that there is a skating floor attached seems to be
immaterial.
This is another rink that I wouldn't (and don't!) bother going to.
====
Middletown, PA 17057-3825
Doc's Roller Review
1733 East Harrisburg Pike
Middletown is located in southern Pennsylvania, about 10 miles south
of Harrisburg. From the Pennsylvania Turnpike, get of at exit 19 -
Harrisburg East, take I-283 to Rt 283 and head east on Rt 283 towards
Lancaster for about 7 miles. Get off Rt-283 at the Rt 341 exit and
head east on Rt 341 towards Middletown. Continue east until Rt 341
mergest with Rt 230 - Harrisburg Pike. The rink should be on the
right, between here and the Swatara Creek.
717-944-7866
Fri 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Sat 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
8:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Sun 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
According to the attendent they don't have any adult sessions, the
evening sessions are mainly 8-15 year old kids and the afternoon
sessions are more parents and family oriented.
====
Mifflintown, PA 17059-9802
J C Entertainment Center
RFD 2 - Mifflintown
Mifflintown is located in central Pennsylvania, between Harrisburg and
State College. From I-81, get off at the US 22 exit north of Harrisburg
and follow US 22 northwest for about 35 miles, then get off at the Rt 35
exit and head south on Rt 35 for about a mile to Mifflintown.
717-436-8050
===
Mount Gretna/Lebanon PA 17064
Mount Gretna Roller Rink
Rt 174 Mount Gretna
Mount Gretna is located in southern Pennsylvania, about 25 miles east
of Harrisburg. From PA Turnpike exit 20 (Lebanon/Lancaster) head north
on PA 72 towards Lebanon. Look for a Mount Gretna exit sign, get off
and then turn left at the T-intersection, follow this road for about
3 miles. At sort of an intersection, there is a small lighted brown
sign on the right, the rink itself is a little ways down the lane.
717-964-3631/964-3633
Thurs 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM Family 1st Thurs - Live Organ Music
Christian 3rd Thurs - Live Organ Music
Fri 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM Pop Music (tapes)
Sat 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM Pop & Organ Music (tapes) - Oct-April
7:30 PM - 10:30 PM Live Organ Music
Sun 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM Pop & Organ Music (tapes) - Oct-April
(** only Friday sessions during June, July and August **)
Wood Floor - 140 x 140 with obstructions
Snack Bar - Not Air-conditioned
In-Lines Permitted - Quad Rentals
Mount Gretna is a summer resort community dating back to the 1890's.
I don't know that the rink is near that old, but it's in character with
the resort nature of the town. The building itself looks like a big
white 3-story barn, with the rink on what would be the second floor.
Modern trim and insulation have obscured the actual construction, but
the floor is suspended on beams and you feel the other skaters bouncing
around. There's no air-conditioning or fans, when it's warm, they just
open the windows and let the breeze blow through and they basically
close down for the summer.
The actual floor as about 144 feet square, with uprights forming an 72
foot inner square. Old fashiond wooden benches along two sides of this
inner square separate a practice/play area from the main floor. You can
treat the main floor as either a square track, or a big circle, though
the later will leave you with a permanent lean to the left.
The floor is hardwood, with some boards running diagonal, some crosswise
and some lengthwise. It't not what you'd call really smooth, but it's
not all that rough. There are a few interesting dips and bumps near the
walls, and some sections that are distinctly uphill or downhill, but for
casual skating this is more fun than a problem. There are a couple of
spots with warped boards that can catch you by surprise - you learn to
avoid them. The floor was refinished in the Summer of 1996, which made
it pretty again, but didn't really change it's basic character.
According to the attendant, Friday is mostly teens, Saturday afternoon
family and Saturday evening the older/adult crowd, although all sessions
are open admission. I've visted several times on Sunday - Ray Long plays
the Hammond B-3 organ, in what I'd consider a slightly more traditionl
rink style than the other local organists - no extra synth keyboard for
effects or accompaniment. The crowd is mixed kids and adults, with more
non-parental skating adults than you'd normally see on a "Family Night".
A minor warning - although this may seem like an idyllic location, there
are no lockers and occassional problems where someone walks out with
several pairs of new looking shoes or a nicer jacket than they walked
in with. Just don't wear anything fancier than you have to and leave
anything valuable locked in your car.
This is the kind of rink that would be miserable if it was your only
skating option, but is just balls of fun to visit once in a while.
====
Muncy, PA 17756-9805
Trout Pond Park
Route 405
Muncie is located in central Pennsylviania about 12 miles east of
Williamsport along the Susquehanna River. From I-180, get off at
the Rt 405 - Muncy/Hughesville exit. The rink is located in a
picnic park along Rt 405 between Muncy and Hughesville.
717-546-8780
Wed 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Sat 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM
Sun 2:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Small
According to the attendent, this is a small roller rink in a picnic
park. They are working on building a full-sized rink. The park
also has an arcade and food concessions, and they have a stage for
C&W bands on the weekends.
There aren't any specific adult nights and other than Saturday being
predicably kids, the others are quite random. The third Saturday of
each month is a 50-60's music night.
====
New Cumberland/Harrisburg, PA 17070-3140
Fountainblu Skating Arena (was Hagy's...)
521 Locust Road
New Cumberland is located in southern Pennsylvania, across the river
from Harrisburg. From the Pennsylvania Turnpike, get off at exit 18 -
New Cumberland/Harrisburg West - I-83, and and head south on I-83
towards York, the opposite of the New Cumberland signs. Fishing Creek
Road is exit 16, the third exit. Look for the small "Roller Skating"
sign at the end of the exit ramp, the rink is just over the hump and
around the corner - visible once you follow the arrow.
717-938-3777
Thurs 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM Family Night
Fri 7:30 PM - 11:00 PM Teen Night
Sat 7:30 PM - 11:00 PM Variety Night
Sun 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM Adult-Night (Live Organ)
Hardwood - about 80'x160' - Ovoid
Snack Bar - Games - Not Air Conditioned
RSA Member Rink
This is an older rink in a building that has a wonderful high ceiling,
with decor salvaged from older commercial buildings. The overall effect
is quaint, in a pleasant way, but with a medium sized floor kept in good
condition. There's also a small dance/practice floor in a room just off
to the side by the skate rental window, but while the floor has regular
boards, it isn't smooth and level.
This rink changed ownership in 1994 and is now owned by the family that
operates the Elmwood rink and CN skate palace in the Philadelphia area.
It's not clear what long term effect this will have and whether the long
promised air-conditioning will come to pass. The new owners do seem to
have retained the general motif of the rink and made some improvements.
The Sunday night session features live organ music alternating between
Marty Dumic and Nick Viscuso on a weekly basis.
====
New Milford, PA 18834
Blue Ridge Skating Rink
US 11 South
New Milford is located in northeastern Pennsylvania, about midway
between Scranton and Binghamton, New York. From I-81, get off at
the Rt 492 exit and head east into New Milford, then turn left to
head south on US 11. The rink should be somewhere southwest of
town along US 11.
717-465-9970
Fri 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Sat 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
8:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Sun 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
RSA Member Rink
USAC/RS Artistic and JO Clubs
====
Pottsville, PA 17901
Roller Roost II
Westwood Road
Pottsville is located in central Pennsylvania, about 30 miles north of
Reading. The Roost is actually in Minersville, just west of Pottsville.
From I-81, get off at exit 36 - Rt 61 and head south on Rt 61 into
Pottsville. Turn right onto US 209 and follow US 209 west though town
to where where Rt 901 merges with US 209. About a mile further, Rt 901
diverges again, but stay on US 209 and make the first right onto
Dowdentown Road. This parallels Rt 901, the rink should be a bit
further up where it changes to Westwood Road.
717-628-4032
Fri 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Sat 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
6:30 PM - 9:15 PM Skating
9:30 PM - midnight Dancing
Sun 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
====
Rome, PA 18837
Bonin Roller Dome
Rome
Rome is located in northeastern Pennsylvania, between Scranton
and Elmira, New York. From I-81 near Binghamton, New York, get
of at the Rt 17 exit and head east on Rt 17 towards Elmira for
about 30 miles and get off at the Rt 282 exit and follow Rt 282
south into Nichols, across the state line to where it changes
to Rt 187 and about 12 miles further south to Rome.
717-247-7987
Apparently the rink isn't right in Rome, but out in the country in that
general area. The guy who answered the phone wasn't willing to tell me
where the rink was, and said to call when I was actually in the area.
====
Sayre, PA 18840-1845
Keystone Roller Rink
419 North Keystone Avenue
Sayre is located in northeastern Pennsylvania, between Scranton and
Elmira, New York. From I-81 near Binghamton, New York, get of at the
Rt 17 exit and head east on Rt 17 towards Elmira for about 35 miles
and get off the Rt 34/US 199 exit and head south on US 199 into
Pennsylvania and towards Sayre. After about a mile, US 199 with bear
left to head south on Keystone Avenue, you want to turn right to head
south and the rink should be just ahead on the left side.
717-888-9475
====
Scotrun, PA 18355
Caesar's Brookdale
Rte 611
717-839-8843/800-233-4141
Restricted
Smooth - Medium Size - Clean
Indoor - Air Conditioned
Quad Skates Available
Caesar's Brookdale is one of the Caesar's Palace Pocono Mountain
newly-wed, aniversary and vacation resorts, the others being Cove Haven,
Paradise Stream, and Pocono Palace. Brooksdale is the family-oriented
resort, hence the roller rink. The resorts have a key-around club card
that allows visitors at one resort to use the facilities at any of the
others.
[ internetqueen@hcc.cc.fl.us (Dawn Banks) - muchly edited ]
The Brooksdale resort has an indoor roller rink. I'm not sure of the
floor material but it was smooth, clean, and seemed to be a nice floor
to skate on. It is a medium size skate arena, but not many people were
skating there, so it was very adequate for the people that were skating.
When you came in there was a carpeted area where you went up to counter
for skates and some carpeted benches to put skates on at and then an
area to enter skating floor which went to the wall.
There was no skate shop, just free skates for people staying at one of
the four resorts with key around club card. There aren't really any
sessions, but I think they had a special time for kids to do something
but we had no kids there.
It was a nice rink, the counter help was very friendly, there was only
a small crowd when we visited in the afternoon...
See http://www.caesars.com/Hotels-Casinos/Poconos/PR.Index.html for
information on the Caesars Pocono resorts.
====
Scranton, PA 18504-3216
Skateaway
1510 South Main Ave & Scranton Ave
Scranton is located in northeastern Pennsylvania. Skateaway is in the
Hyde Park area of Scranton on the west side of the river. Take South
Main Street exit from Rt 11/307, head south and the rink should be one
block past Jackson Ave.
717-346-9192
Thurs 10:00 AM - noon
4;00 PM - 6:00 PM
7:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Fri 7:30 PM - 11:00 PM
Sat 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
7:30 PM - 11:00 PM
Sun 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
RSA Member Rink
According to the attendant, they don't have any adult sessions, but there
are more adults at the Sunday evening session. He recommended going to
the old-timers night at the Wilkes-Barre Skateaway rink.
====
Shamokin Dam/Sunbury, PA 17876
Sunset Rink
Routes 11 & 15
Shamokin Dam is located in central Pennsylvania, about 35 miles north
of Harrisburg and north of Selinsgrove. From I-80, get off at the
US 15 exit, head south on US 15 towards Selinsgrove for about 13 miles
to where US 15 and US 11 merge. The rink is after the second traffic
light, on the southbound side of the road. It's very easy to see, but
you will want to be in the right lane to be ready.
717-743-6060
Mon 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM Adult Night - Country Music
Wed 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Fri 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Sat 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Sun 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
7:30 PM - 10:30 PM 70's/80's Rock
(** Sock-Hop dancing after some sessions **)
Plastic over Plywood - Small-Medium - Oval
Skate shop - Snack Bar - Smoking Area - Games - Air Conditioned
"Rink-safe" In-lines Permitted
RSA Member Rink
[ S_RJMARQUETT@vaxa.clarion.edu (RJ Marquette) ]
Although this is a smaller rink, it is my favorite, simply because they
have decent DJ's and a good music selection, and a friendly clientelle.
The floor is kept in fairly decent shape in the clean department, and I
rarely have a problem gripping to it.
Sadly, this rink had a bad reputation of drug users and busts several
years ago that still hangs over them even to this day, but I've never
had a problem in 3 or 4 years of skating at the rink.
The entire rink is kept fairly clean. I've notice that the prices in
the pro shop seem to be better than most rinks. For example wheels
are usually a couple dollars less per set than at other rinks.
If you aren't into the Country thing, the Sunday night sessions also
tend toward an older crowd, and the music is usually centered around
70s/80s rock.
====
Shrewsbury, PA 17361
Rollerland
100 New Freedom Road
Shrewsbury is located in southern Pennsylvania, about 13 miles south
of York. From I-83, get off at the Rt 851 exit and head west on
Rt 851 through Shrewsbury. The rink is probably located on Rt 851
on the western side of town.
717-227-0191
RSA Member Rink
USAC/RS JO Club
====
Stroudsburg, PA 18360
Big Wheels Skating Center
Rt 191 NE
Stroudsburg is located in the Pocono Mountains area in eastern
Pennsylvania, about midway between Scranton and Allentown. From
I-80, get off at the Rt 191 exit and head northwest towards
Stroudsburg. Rt 191 runs north-south though town.
717-424-5499
Thurs 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Fri 7:30 PM - 11:30 PM
Sat 10:00 AM - 12:00 noon
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
7:30 PM - 11:30 PM
Sun 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
RSA Member Rink
Big Wheel runs an adult summer skate camp week in late august, with
housing at a local college. Apparently they have two floors, though
I don't know whether they're both full size or not.
====
Troy, PA 16947
Troy Skateland
Route 14 north of US 6
Troy is located in northeastern Pennsylvania, between Williamsport
and Elmira, New York. From I-81 near Binghamton, New York, get off
at Rt 17 exit and head east on Rt 17 towards Elmira for about 40 miles,
though Sayre/Waverly and get off at the US 220 exit. Head south on
US 220, into Pennsylvania, for about 13 miles to Towanda, then west
on US 6 for about 14 miles towards Troy. Where US 6 and Rt 14 merge,
turn right to head north on Rt 14, the rink should be nearby in a park.
717-297-3814
Fri 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Sat 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
8:00 PM - 11:00 PM 12 and up only
RSA Member Rink
====
Waynesboro, PA 17268-9421
Skateland
11001 Buchanan Trail East
Waynesboro is located in southern Pennsylvania, about 25 miles west
of Gettysburg. From I-81 get off at exit 3 - Rt 16 - Buchanan Trail
and head east on Rt 16 through Waynesboro and then about 2-1/2 miles
further east. The rink should be on the left, at the intersection
with Old Forge Road.
717-762-8581
====
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702-6051
Skateaway
610 Blackman Street at Casey Ave
Wilkes-Barre is located in northeastern Pennsylvania, about 15 miles
south of Scranton. Skateaway is located at the southern end of
Wilkes-Barre. From I-81, get off at the Business Route 309 exit, and
head north, towards Wilkes-Barre. Turn left onto Blackman Street,
the rink is in the middle of the block, on the right just before
Casey Avenue.
717-829-1236
Tues 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM Adult-18 Night, Live Organ 3rd Tuesday
Fri 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Sat 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
7:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Sun 1:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Maple Floor - Medium Size - Rectangular - Very Good Condition
Skate Shop - Snack Bar - Games - Air Conditioned
In-line Skates Permitted
RSA Member Rink
USAC/RS Artistic Club
[ jordanpf@email.usps.gov (Pat Jordan) - edited ]
I had the opportunity to visit the Skateaway on Blackman Street in
Wilkes-Barre last evening for the Adult Skate Session. Ralph Brown
was at the Organ. Great music to skate to. I had a great time,
as always.
I really enjoy skating when Ralph is there. The adult session gets
quite a crowd when he plays - Many people from New York state and
other areas come.
The adult session is Tuesday night, and every third Tuesday is Ralph
Brown at the Organ. The rink is 22 years old, but is clean and well
maintained. The staff does an excellent job of crowd control.
====
Wysox/Towanda, PA 18854
Beers Roller Rink
US Route 6
Wysox is located in northeastern Pennsylvania, between Scranton
and Elmira, New York, about 2 miles east of Towanda. From I-81 near
Binghamton, New York, get of at the Rt 17 exit and head east on
Rt 17 towards Elmira for about 40 miles though Sayre/Waverly and
get off at the US 220 exit. Head south on US 220 into Pennsylvania,
for about 13 miles to Towanda, then east on US 6 for about 2 miles
towards Wysox. The rink will be on the right side, across from the
Post Office, it shares the same bilding as the Beers Used Car Sales.
Coming from Scranton, take US 6 thorough Wysox and the rink will
be about a half-mile from the traffic light on the left side.
717-265-8204/265-9383
Fri 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Sat 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Family Day
7:00 PM - 11:00 PM Dancing - Not Skating!
Sun 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Wood Floor - Small - Good Condition
Snack Bar - Game Room - Smoking Area
In-line Skates Prohibited
[ fireside@lancnews.infi.net (Shirley Morgan) - edited ]
The skating floor is wood, of small to medium size and in good condition.
No in-line skates are allowed. There is a snack bar, a game room and a
smoking area. There is no skate shop, but they do sell skates from a
catalog.
In addtion to the skating sessions they also hold dances on Saturday
nights and they usually have a DJ from the area for the dance. They
also have special packages for Birthday Parties, Private Parties,etc.
Please feel free to call to double check on hours or to book Parties,
ask for Calvin or Debbie.
====
York, PA 17404
Roll-R-Way Family Skating Center (was Roll-R-Way West)
1201 Carlisle Road - Delco Plaza
York is located in southern Pennsylvania, about 25 miles south
of Harrisburg. From I-81, get off at the Rt 30 Bypass exit and
head west on the Bypass to the Rt 74 - Carlisle Road exit. Head
east on Rt 74, the rink is located in the Delco Shopping Plaza,
immediatly after the interchange on the left.
717-843-7500
Tues 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Organ Music
Thurs 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Scout Night - Free w/ID or uniform
Fri 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM Open Skate
Sat 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Big Skate
8:00 PM - 12:00 PM Skate & Dance (last hour is dancing)
Sun 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Medium to Large Floor - Extremely Rough
Snack Bar - Games - Not Air-conditioned
In-line Skates Permitted
[ S_RJMARQUETT@vaxa.clarion.edu (RJ Marquette) ]
I' been here once or twice and frankly wasn't impressed. Their floor
is shot, it's wavy and rough. I felt like I was getting seasick until
I got used to it. Many of their speakers in the sound system do not
work, so some area of the rink are too quite.
Other than that, it's an average rink, nothing really stood out as
special to me. There also used to be a Roll-R-Way East, where I first
learned to skate, but it burned down some years back.
Take the time and go up to Fountainblu or somewhere else - this rink
simply isn't worth the trip.
====
York Springs, PA 17372-9506
Mary Jane Roller Rink
6924 Old Harrisburg Road
York Springs is located in southern Pennsylvania, about 20 miles
west of York. From the Pennsylvania Turnpike, get off at exit 17 -
Mechanicsburg - US 15, head south on US for about 15 miles and then
get off at the Rt 94 - Carlisle Pike exit. Head northwest on Rt 94
towards York Springs, and then turn left to head southwest onto
Old Harrisburg Road. The rink should be on the right, maybe about
a half-mile down.
717-528-4712
========================================================================
Pennsylvania (412) - Southwestern
Butler, Indiana, New Castle, Pittsburgh, Uniontown
Phone numbers and addresses checked against a CD-ROM directory 1/96,
also RSA directory and USAC/RS directory.
This should be essentially all the roller rinks in the 412 area code.
====
Beaver Falls, PA 15010
Homewood Roller Rink
Route 18
Beaver Falls is located in western Pennsylvania, about 30 miles north
of Pittsburgh. From the Pennsylvania Turnpike, get off at exit 2 -
Rt 18 and head south on Rt 18 towards Beaver Falls. The rink is
probably along Rt 18 within a mile or two of the Turnpike.
412-843-9992
USAC/RS Artistic and JO Clubs
====
Belle Vernon, PA 15012-1405
Jam-N-Skate
529 Broad Avenue
Belle Vernon is located in southwestern Pennsylvania, about 25 miles
south of Pittsburgh, in the Monongahela Valley. From I-70, get off
at exit 19 - Rt 906 and head south on Main Street for a block and
then bear right onto State Street, which will become Broad Avenue
at Short Street. Proceed about six blocks further on Broad and the
rink should be on the left between McCaulifer Way and Baltimore
Street.
412-929-5363
====
Bethel Park/Pittsburg, PA 15102-3714
VIP Picnic Place
30 Corrigan Drive
Pittsburg is in southwestern Pennsylvania. Bethel Park is located in
the southern suburbs of Pittsburg. From downtown, cross the river on
I-279, get off at the US 19 exit and head south on US 19 for about 5
miles to the Mount Lebanon Area. Turn left at Conner Road and head
east for about a mile to Rt 88 - Library Road, then turn right to
head south on Rt 88 for about 2 more miles. When you come to a 5-way
intersection by a park, go into the park area on Corrigan Drive and
the rink should be on the right.
412-833-5258
This is listed as a skating rink, but it could be an outdoor ice rink or
a seasonal roller rink.
====
Bridgeville, PA 15017-2331
Great Southern Roller and Ice Arena
341 Washington Avenue
412-221-7111
====
Butler, PA 16001-2604
Skate Castle
182 New Castle Road
Butler is located in western Pennsylvania, about 30 miles north of
Pittsburgh. From I-79, get off at exit 29 - US 422, and head east
on US 422 for about 12 miles towards Butler. Get off US 422 at the
Rt 356 - New Castle Road/Franklin Highway exit, and head east on
Rt 356 towards Butler for about 2 more miles. The rink should be
along New Castle Road, between here and Butler.
412-287-3930
Fri 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM Teen Night (13 & up)
Sat Family Night
RSA Member Rink
USAC/RS Hockey Club
[ DHage86150@aol.com - edited ]
In Butler, Pennsylvania there is a great rink called Skate Castle.
I'm not sure exactly of the size, but it is sorta big. On Friday
nights it's Teen Night and they only allow kids 13 and up in.
They play mostly rap and alternative, including great hits like
Alanis Morrissette. The owners are very friendly and the service
is great! Saturday nights are family nights and the ages are varied.
====
Canonsburg, PA 15317
Roll-R-Skate
113 Cavasina Drive
Canonsburg is located in southwestern Pennsylvania, about 15 miles
south west of Pittsburgh. From I-79, get off at the Rt 980 -
Canonsburg exit and head west on Rt 980 into town. The rink is on
Casavina Drive, a service area adjacent to the I-79 with a KFC,
Hoss's Steak House and other fast-food outlets.
412-745-6008
Wed 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM Family Nite
Fri 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Sat 2:00 PM - 4:30 PM
7:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Sun 2:00 PM - 4:30 PM
RSA Member RInk
According to the attendant, they don't have any adult sessions, but there
are more adults at the Wednesday Family Nite and on Saturday night.
====
Cheswick, PA 15024-1445
Ches-A-Rena III
1216 Pittsburgh Street
Cheswick is located in southwestern Pennsylvania, about 8 miles north-
east of Pittsburgh, along the Allegheny River. From the Pennsylvania
Turnpike, get off at exit 5 - Cheswick and head east, along the river
towards Cheswick, on Freeport Road for about a mile. In Cheswick,
Freeport changes to Pittsburgh Street at a 5-way intersection, the
rink should be within a block of this intersection.
412-274-8181
Wood Floor - Large - Oval - Good Condition
Skate Shop - Snack Bar - Games - Smoking Area - Not Air-Conditioned
In-line Skates permitted and available for rent
RSA Member Rink
[ async@diamond.nb.net (async) - edited from form ]
Ches-a-Rena has a large oval skating floor. It is smooth, clean and
in good shape. They don't have any adult oriented sessions, just a
"Family Night", and that still has more kids than adults.
Overall, this is a nice rink, but there are way too many kids and
at times the music is extremely loud.
====
Connellsville, PA 15425
Fay West Arena
Skate Lane
Connellsville is located in southwestern Pennsylvania, about 35 miles
southeast of Pittsburgh along the Youghiogheny River. The Arena is
about 4 miles north of Connellsville. From the Pennsylvania Turnpike,
get off at exit 8 - New Stanton, follow the signs to US 119 and then
head south on US 119 towards Connellsville for about 11 miles. The
rink is in this area along US 119, on Skate Lane, north of Rt 982.
412-628-1155
Wed 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Thurs 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Fri 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Sat 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Sun 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
According to the attendant, they don't have any adult sessions, but more
adults come to the Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday evening sessions.
====
Coraopolis, PA 15108
Rolling Wheels
925 Broadhead Road - West Hills Shopping Center
Corapolis is located in southwestern Pennsylvania, about 10 miles
north-west of Pittsburgh along the Ohio River. The rink is actually
out in Moon Township, near the Pittsburgh International Airport.
From I-79, get off at exit 14 - US 30/22 and head northwest on
US-30/22 for about 4 miles, then follow Rt 60 and Business 60 - The
Airport Parkway for about 4 miles to the airport area. Turn right
to head north on Beers School Road for a mile, then turn left onto
Broadhead Road. The rink should be in the West Hills Shopping
Center somewhere along Broadhead Road in the Bon Meade area.
412-262-4858
====
Delmont/Greensburg, PA 15626
Rock Springs Roller Rink
Old Rt 22 Delmont
Greensburg is located in southwestern Pennsylvania, about 25 miles south-
east of Pittsburgh. Delmont is about 4 miles north of Greensburg. From
the Pennsylvania Turnpike, get off at exit 6 - Monroeville - US 22 and
head east on US 22 for about 5 miles to Rt 66, and then north on Rt 66
for about a mile to Old Rt 22 - The William in Delmont. The rink is
on Old Rt 22 probably just east of town.
412-468-8993
Wed 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Fri 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Sat 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
7:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Sun 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
====
Donora, PA 15033
Valley Skating Center
6th Street
Donora is located in southwestern Pennsylvania, about 25 miles south
of Pittsburgh, along the Monongahela River. From Pittsburg, head south
on Rt 51, then west on I-70 to just before the river, then north on
Rt 906 to Webster. At Thomas street turn left to cross the River on
the Donora-Webster bridge, then turn left at 831 and go 4 blocks south
to 6th Street. The rink should be nearby.
412-379-6700
RSA Member Rink
USAC/RS Artistic, JO and Speed Clubs
Donora holds one of the first artistic skating events for the season
in the Eastern Region, usually over the St. Patrick's day weekend.
====
Ellwood City, PA 16117-2402
Ellport Roller Rink
215 Connoquenessing Boulevard
Ellwood City is located in western Pennsylvania, between New Castle
and Beaver along the Connoquenessing River. The rink is about a mile
east of Ellwood City in Ellport. From the Pennsylvania Turnpike,
get off at exit 2 - Rt 18 and head north on Rt 18 for a mile, then
northeast into Ellwood City on Rt 351. When Rt 351 ends, turn left
onto Rt 65/288 for a few blocks, then turn right to head east on
Rt 488 for about a mile. Turn left onto Golf Avenue, go 4 blocks to
3rd Stret, turn left onto 3rd and at Connoquenessing Boulevard turn
left and the rink should be on the left near the corner.
412-752-0075
RSA Member Rink
====
Glenshaw/Pittsburgh, PA 15116-1700
Romp-N-Roll
1661 East Sutter Road
Pittsburgh is located in southwestern Pennsylvania. Glenshaw is in the
northern suburbs, across the Ohio River from central Pittsburgh. From
downtown, head east on Rt 28, then north on Rt 8 for about 4 miles,
then bear left, across the tracks onto East Sutter Road. The rink
is probably not far from Rt 8.
412-486-4117
USAC/RS Artistic and JO Clubs
====
Grove City, PA 16127-9769
Neat Feat Skating Center
754 North Broad Street
Grove City is located in western Pennsylvania, about 18 miles north-
east of New Castle. From I-80, get off at exit 3A - Rt 173 - Sandy
Lake-Grove City Road and head south on Rt 173 towards Grove City for
a couple miles. The rink should be along Rt 173, which changes to
North Broad Street closer to town.
412-458-4471
RSA Member Rink
USAC/RS JO Club
====
Hermitage/Sharon, PA 16148-3403
Olympic Roller World
4070 East State Street
Sharon is located in western Pennsylvania, northeast of Youngstown
Ohio. Hermitage is located at the eastern edge of Sharon. From
I-80, get off at exit 1 - Rt 60, and head north on Rt 60 to Rt 18 -
South Hermitage Road and head north on Rt 18 for a couple miles, then
head then east on US 62. The rink is about a half-mile east along
US 62, on the right just before Keel Ridge Road.
412-981-3371/981-3374
Hardwood floor - medium size - good condition
In-line skates permitted
RSA Member Rink
[ S_RJMARQUETT@vaxa.clarion.edu (RJ Marquette) ]
I've only been to Olympic Roller World once, but here are my impressions.
On the surface, it seems like a nice rink, but the policeman watching us
skate was a real turn-off. Apparently they do have some problems certain
times of the year...
The floor is hardwood, mid-sized and in decent shape. I didn't notice
any irregularities. The floor looked strange to me while I was there,
but I couldn't quite place why. After checking with other people who
were there before, it seems that they put in a playground for kids in
the back and shortened the skating floor when they did it. I think this
shows mis-placed priorities for the serious skaters.
====
Georgetown/Hookstown, PA 15050
Melody Lane Roller Rink
1236 State Route 168
Hookstown is located in southwestern Pennsylvania, about 30 miles
northwest of Pittsburgh in the Ohio Valley. The rink is apparently
near Frankford Springs about 9 miles south of Hookstown. From I-79,
get off at exit 14 - US 30/22 and head northwest on US 22 for about
20 miles. Get off of US 22 at the Rt 18 interchange and head north
on Rt 18 for 4 miles, then bear left onto Rt 168. The rink should be
along Rt 168 near this fork.
412-???-????
Closed
RSA Member Rink
USAC/RS Artistic and JO Clubs
According to someone local, this rink burned down. The owners are in
the process of rebuiding it, first as an outdoor rink, then eventually
covering it.
====
Indiana, PA 15701-2355
Indiana Skating Center (aka Paramount?)
2131 Shelly Drive
Indiana is located in southwestern Pennsylvania, between Pittsburgh
and Altoona. The Skating Center is located on the western side of
of town, From US 422 west of Indiana, avoid the bypass and head
eastwards into town on the Benjamin Franklin Highway for about 2
miles, then turn right onto Shelly drive. The rink should be near
the intersection.
412-463-3161
RSA Member Rink
USAC/RS Artistic and JO Clubs
====
Irwin, PA 15642-4084
Norwin Skateland (was Sadie's Place)
100 Colony Drive
Irwin is located in southwestern Pennsylvania, about 15 miles southeast
of Pittsburgh. From the Pennsylvania Turnpike, get off at exit 7 -
Irwin - US 30, and head west on US 30, towards Irwin for about a mile,
then turn left onto Colony Drive. The rink should be on the right,
near the intersection.
412-863-5761/863-5791
RSA Member Rink
There is a roller rink and an athletic club here, converted from a raquet
club.
====
Latrobe, PA 15650
Latrobe Skating Center
South Ligonier Street
Latrobe is located in southwestern Pennsylvania, between Pittsburgh
and Johnstown. From the Pennsylvania Turnpike, get off at exit 8 -
New Stanton and head north on US 119 towards Greensburg for about 7
miles to US 30, then east on US 30 for about 8 miles to Rt 982 -
Eaton Road. Head north on Rt 982 for about a half mile and turn
right onto Ligonier Street, the rink should be somewhere nearby.
412-537-8541
Hardwood Floor - Small - Long but Narrow
Games - Not Air-conditioned
In-line skates permitted after inspection
RSA Member Rink
[ S_RJMARQUETT@vaxa.clarion.edu (RJ Marquette) ]
I didn't really care for this rink. There was nothing specifically
wrong with it, but if I lived in the area I think I would look into
driving farther for a better rink. It is kind of a strange setup, a
wooden floor, that's long for its width. Not that it is all that large,
it's just out of proportion!
I was there in mid-June or July, so the lack of air conditioning was
a real problem. I do recall is that there was no water fountain for men.
I'm told that there was one in the ladies room, but that's not very
conveniently located. :)
If you happen to be in the area and bored, it may be worthwhile to
stop in, otherwise don't bother making a special trip for it.
====
Liesenring/Connellsville, PA 15455
Divito Park
101 Frankie Lane - Divito Park
Connellsville is located in southwestern Pennsylvania, about 35 miles
southeast of Pittsburgh along the Youghiogheny River. Liesesnring
is a small village about 3 miles southwest of Connellsville. From
the Pennsylvania Turnpike, get off at exit 8 - New Stanton, follow
the signs to US 119 and then head southwards on US 119 through
Connellsville and about 2 miles further south past Laurel Mall.
Look for a large white arrow sign for Divito Park and follow the
signs for a couple miles to the park.
412-626-1144
Fri 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Sat 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
7:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Sun 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
7:00 PM - 11:00 PM
RSA Member Rink
IAAPA Member
Divito Park is a amusement park serving southwestern Pennsylvania which
includes a roller rink and a seasonal ice rink. They also have go-karts,
water rides, picnic and stage facilities and a motel.
====
McKeesport, PA 15132-7704
Eden Park Roller Rink
428 Eden Park Boulevard
McKeesport is located in southwestern Pennsylvania, about 10 miles
southeast of Pittsburgh along the Monongahela River. From the
Pennsylvania Turnpike, get off at exit 7 - Irwin - US 30 and head
west on US 30 for about 7 miles to Rt 48, then south on Rt 48 for
about 5 miles towards McKeesport. At Walnut Street, turn right
onto Rt 148, then immediatly right onto Hillview Street. At Eden
Park Boulevard, turn left and the rink will be on the left.
412-751-3200
====
Neville Island/Corapolis, PA 15225
Neville Roller Drome
Third Street
Neville Island is located in southwestern Pennsylvania, about 10
miles northwest of Pittsburgh, on the Ohio River across from
Corapolis. From I-79, get off at the Neville Island exit and
head west on Grand Avenue to Third Street. The rink should be
somewere along Third - the island is only two blocks wide.
412-264-9856
Tues 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM Live Organ Music
Wed 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM Family Night
Fri 7:30 PM - 11:30 PM
Sat 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
8:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Sun 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM
8:00 PM - 11:00 PM Live Organ Music
RSA Member RInk
====
New Kensington, PA 15068-6730
Melwood Park Roller Skating Rink (aka Fun Zone)
3960 Greenwood Road
New Kensington is located in southwestern Pennsylvania, about 15 miles
northeast of Pittsburgh, along the Allegheny River. Melwood Park is
about 2 miles northeast of New Kensington. From the Pennsylvania
Turnpike, get off at exit 5 - Cheswick, follow the signs to Rt 28 and
then head northeast on Rt 28 for 7 miles towards Tarentum. Get off
off Rt 28 at Rt 366 - Bull Creek Road, and then head south on Rt 366
across the river to Rt 56, head east on Rt 56 for about 2 miles and
then bear right onto Greenwood Road. The rink should be just ahead,
where Greenwood and Markele Road fork off.
412-337-7095
====
North Apollo, PA 15673
Valarena Roller Skating
Second Avenue
North Apollo is located in southwestern Pennsylvania, about 25 miles
northeast of Pittsburg, along the Conemaugh River. From the Pennsylvania
Turnpike, get off at exit 5 - Cheswick - Rt 28, and head northeast on
Rt 28 for about 5 miles, then south on Rt 336 across the Allegheny
River and east on Rt 56 for about 13 miles, through Vandergrift and
then south, around the bend, to North Apollo. Turn left onto Second
Street and the rink should be nearby.
412-478-3065
====
Pittsburgh, PA 15221-5299
Ardmore Roller Skating Palace
2400 Ardmore Boulevard
Pittsburg is in southwestern Pennsylvania. The Ardmore rink is located
in the Forest Hills suburban area east of Pittsburg. From downtown head
east on I-376 to US 30 and then south on US 30 - Ardmore Boulevard, for
about 2 miles. The rink should be on the right, at the corner of Yost
Boulevard.
412-271-6000
This rink has had some trouble due to crowds of kids on Saturday nights.
A news article reports that in March 1996, there was a disturbance with
450! kids after the session that took officers from 18 surrounding police
departments to control and that there were many arrests for fighting in
the rink the previous year.
====
Pittsburgh, PA 15235-2252
City Limits
7185 Saltsburg Road
Pittsburg is in southwestern Pennsylvania. City Limits is located in
the eastern part of Pittsburg, in the Penn Hills area. From downtown
head east on I-376 and get off at the Rt 791 exit and head north on
Rt 791 for about 2 miles to Rt 380 - Saltsburg Road, and then east on
Rt 380 for about 3 miles and across the railroad tracks. The rink should
be on the right, between Tilford Road and Colonial Village Drive.
412-793-7344
====
Pittsburgh, PA 15208-2559
Shadyskates (also The Factory)
7501 Penn Avenue
Pittsburg is in southwestern Pennsylvania. Shadyskates is located in
the eastern part of Pittsburg, near Frick Park. From downtown head
east on I-376 get off at the Ardmore Boulevard exit and head north-
west on Ardmore Boulevard, which becomes Penn Avenue, for about a
mile. Shadyskates should be on the right between Braddock Avenue and
Carnagie Place.
412-731-5400(shop)/731-4937(parties)
Shadyskates is one of a number of recreational and retail outlets in
an old building collectively known as "The Factory". Shadyskates is
basically an indoor skate/skateboard park associated with a skateboard
shop. They rent the facility for roller skating parties, but don't have
any conventional public sessions.
According to local reports, there's a change of management in progress
and the new management is supposedly likely to emphasize the skate
park aspect and dump the rest.
====
Pittsburg, PA 15234-2649
Spinning Wheels Roller Skating
2940 Library Drive
Pittsburg is in southwestern Pennsylvania. Spinning Wheels is located
in the Overboork suburban area south of Pittsburg. From downtown, cross
the river on I-279, get off at the Rt 51 exit and head south on Rt 51
for about 4 miles to the McKinley Park area. Bear right onto Rt 88 -
Library Road and continue south for another half-mile on Library Road.
After passing McNeily Road, the rink should be on the right, at Coveton
Avenue.
412-922-7000
Closed?
A July 1996 newpsaper article mentions that a Busy Beaver Building Center
had recently opened at the former Spinning Wheels Roller Rink on Route 88.
The rink phone number is disconnected and a forwarding message points to
a Spinning Wheels Office, so it's not completely clear whether they moved
or had other area operations.
====
Pittsburgh, PA 15207
Schenley Ice Rink
Overlook Drive - Schenley Park
To reach Schenley Park, take I-376 East or West until you reach the
Oakland exit. From the exit, go east on Boulevard of the Allies until
you see the signs for Schenley Park.
412-422-6523
Mon noon - 3:45 PM In-line Skating
Tues noon - 3:45 PM In-line Skating
Fri 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM In-line Skating
Sat 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM In-line Skating
Sun noon - 3:45 PM In-line Skating
200'x80'
Seasonal - Outdoor
[ net gleanings ]
The Schenley Ice Rink, in Schenley Park in Pittsburgh, will be converted
into a roller-rink for the summer. The park also contains six miles of
paved and hilly roads for the cyclist or in-line skater.
The rink is listed as semi-outdoor, it may be sheltered or have an
ajacent indoor concession/locker area.
[ net gleanings ]
As of May 96, Citiparks has just added a "roller-blading only" surface
at the rink in Schenley Park. There are scheduled times for in-line
skating, roller hockey and dek hockey.
====
Rose Point/New Castle, PA 16051
Ellhurst Roller Skating (aka Ellhurst Skating and Parties)
Old Butler Road
New Castle is located in western Pennsylvania, about 17 miles south-
east of Youngstown, Ohio. Rose Point is located about 10 miles east
of New Castle along US 422. From I-79, get off at exit 29 - US 422
and head west on US 422 towards New Castle for about a half-mile, then
turn right at the traffic light onto Old Butler Road. The rink should
be on Old Butler Road or off a small lane nearby.
412-924-2064
Fri 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM
Sat 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Sun 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
====
Tarentum, PA 15084-1717
Tarena Roller Rink
209 Lock Street
Tarentum is located in southwestern Pennsylvania, about 15 miles north-
east of Pittsburgh, along the Allegheny River. From the Pennsylvania
Turnpike, get off at exit 5 - Cheswick, follow the signs to Rt 28 and
then head northeast on Rt 28 for 7 miles towards Tarentum. Get off of
Rt 28 at Rt 366 - Bull Creek Road, and then head south on Rt 366 into
Tarentum, then turn left onto 6th Avenue and make the second right onto
Lock Street. The rink should be about 4 blocks further, on the right
at the corner of 2nd Avenue.
412-226-0702
====
Fairchance/Uniontown, PA 15401-9802
Swaney's Roller Rink
Rt 857 - Fair Chance
Uniontown is located in southwestern Pennsylvania, about 40 miles south
Pittsburgh. Fairchance is about 5 miles south on Uniontown. From the
Pennsylvania Turnpike, get off at exit 8 - New Stanton and follow the
signs to US 119, then head south on US 119 towards Uniontown for about
25 miles. Continue on US 119 around to the south of Uniontown, then
turn left onto Rt 857 and head south towards Fairchance. The rink is
on Rt 857 between Uniontown and Fairchance.
412-564-2410/564-9413
Fri 8:00 PM - 10:30 PM
Sat 8:00 PM - 10:30 PM Under-21 Dancing - Not Skating!
According to the attendent, the Friday session is the only public skating
session. Saturday is a teen dance and the rest is just rentals.
====
Uniontown, PA 15401
Wheels Of Eight
Route 51
Uniontown is located in southwestern Pennsylvania, about 40 miles south
Pittsburgh. From the Pennsylvania Turnpike, get off at exit 8 - New
Stanton and follow the signs to US 119, then head south on US 119
towards Uniontown for about 25 miles. Get off at the Rt 51 - Pittsburgh
Street exit and head north on Rt 51, away from Uniontown. The rink
should be somewhere along this stretch of Rt 51.
412-437-7465
====
Washington, PA 15301
Pancake Skate-N-Whirl
McCoy Lane
Washington is located in southwestern Pennsylvania, midway between
Pittsburgh and Wheeling, West Virginia. From I-79, get off at
exit 7 - US 40 and head west on US 40, towards Washington for about
a mile. Turn right onto McCoy Lane, the rink should be nearby.
412-223-9500
====
Waynesburg, PA 15370
Interstate Skateland
Wade Street
Waynesburg is located in southwestern Pennsylvania, about 40 miles
south of Pittsburgh. From I-79, get off at exit 3 - Rt 21 and head
west towards Wayneburg for about 2 miles. Bear right where Rt 21
merges with US 19 and then turn left at the traffic light onto
Flower Street and left again onto Wade Street. The rink is an
arched roof building on Wade Street.
412-627-7608
Fri 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Sat 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
7:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Sun 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
This rink was briefly featured on regional news sound-bites and newspaper
reports when a severe storm in late April 1996 caused major damage and
tore roofs off in the area. The news reports incorrectly identified the
roller rink as having lost their roof, while actually it was a bakery next
door and the rink itself wasn't substantially damaged.
========================================================================
Pennsylvania (814) - Northwestern
Bradford, Clarion, Erie, Punxsutawney, State College, Williamsport
Phone numbers and addresses checked against a CD-ROM directory 1/96,
also RSA directory and USAC/RS directory.
This should be essentially all the roller rinks in the 814 area code.
====
Altoona, PA 16602-4473
Sir Skate Of Altoona
3001 Fairway Drive
Altoona is located in central Pennsylvania, about midway between
Harrisburg and Pittsburgh. Sir Skate is in the southern end of town.
From the Pennsylvania Turnpike, get of at exit 11 and head north
towards Altoona on US 220 for about 33 miles. Get off at the Rt 36 -
Logan Boulevard exit and head north on Rt 36 towards town for about
a half-mile, then turn right onto Frankstown Road and left onto
Fairway Drive. The rink should be on the right, near the corner.
814-944-9444
====
Bedford, PA 15522-9805
Moon Glow II
RFD 5 - Bedford
Bedford is located in southern Pennsylvania, about midway between
Altoona and Cumberland, Maryland. From the Pennsylvania Turnpike,
get off at exit 11 - Bedford and head south on US 220 for about a
mile to Bedford. The rink is probably somewhere out in the nearby
countryside.
814-623-9597
RSA Member Rink
USAC/RS Artistic and Speed Clubs
====
Bradford, PA 16701-3297
Evan's Rollerdrome
1020 East Main Street
Bradford is located in northwestern Pennsylvania, about 75 miles
east of Erie. From Rt 17 in New York, get off at exit 23 - US 219
and head south for about 8 miles towards Bradford, then get off at
the Rt 346 - Bolivar Drive exit and head east on Rt 346 for about
a half mile, then turn left onto East Main Street. The rink should
be a little ways down on the right.
814-368-9802
====
Champion, PA 15622
Seven Springs Mountain Resort
US 31
814-352-7777
Seasonal - Indoors
Rental skates available
Seven Springs is a "large" ski resort with 30 trails and slopes. Seven
Springs features many additional attractions including a miniature golf
course, indoor pool, weight room, regular dances on resort grounds, and
a roller skating rink.
From what I understand, the skating rink actually doubles as one of the
banquet halls. During the *winter* when the resort serves more as ski
resort than a conference center, there is less demand for the room and
it is used as a roller rink. I'm not sure of the schedule, so call if
you're interested.
====
Clearfield, PA 16830
Skate Station
South Rear Street
Clearfield is located in central Pennsylvania, about 35 miles west
of State College. From I-80, get off at exit 19 - Rt 879 and head
south on Rt 879 into Clearfield. I can't find Rear Street on a map...
814-765-1234
Wed 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Fri 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Sat 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM
7:30 PM - 10:00 PM Skating
10:00 PM - 12:00 PM Dancing
Sun 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM
7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
====
Corry, PA 16407-9030
3 Deeez Skate-N-Arcade (aka Rock-N-Roller Skate)
1140 East Main Street
Corry is located in northwestern Pennsylvania, about 25 miles south-
east of Erie. From I-90, get of at the US 19 exit and head souteast
on US 19 for about 12 miles, then east on US 6 for about 18 miles
towards Corry. At Rt 426, turn right to head south for about a
mile into Corry, then east for about a mile. The rink should be
on the right, past Shady Lane.
814-664-3006
====
Coudersport, PA 16915
Magic Valley Skateland
US 6 West
Coudersport is located in northern Pennsylvania, about 90 miles
north-west of Williamsport. From Rt 17 - The Southern Tier Freeway,
get off at the US 15 exit and head south on US 15 for about 20 miles
to Mansfield, then west on US 6 for about 45 miles to Coudersport.
The rink is on US 6 - Port Allegany Road, west of Coudersport.
814-274-7744
Wed 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Fri 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM mixed
Sat 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM family
7:00 PM - 11:00 PM mixed
Sun 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM family
According to the attendant they don't have any special adult sessions.
====
Cranberry/Oil City, PA 16319
Seneca Skating Rink
Brandon Road
Cranberry is located in northwestern Pennsylvania, about 10 miles
south of Oil City. From I-80, get off at exit 3 - Rt 8 and take
Rt 8 into Franklin, and head southeast on US 322 for about 8 miles
to Cranberry. Brandon Road is just south of the US 322/Rt 257
intersection. After turning onto Brandon, the rink is on the left
about a quarter mile back - you can't miss it, though it's hidden
from the main road by some trees.
814-677-5700
Thurs 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Fri 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Sat 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Sun 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM (Winter only)
(** Also Sunday afternoon session **)
Hardwood Floor - 170'x65' - Fair Condition
Snack Bar - Skate Shop - Games - No Smoking - Air Conditioned
In-line Skates Prohibited
[ S_RJMARQUETT@vaxa.clarion.edu (RJ Marquette) ]
Although the floor is in decent shape, with boards that curve around
with the flow, it gets really rough if you skate across the grain of
the boards. Skating across the center feels like a mini-earthquake,
and you tend to lose your grip if you're trying to turn.
They do have a decent skate shop and snack bar. The snack bar is kept
very clean and well lit, with some hanging Pepsi lights for a touch of
class. There is no smoking in the rink. They usually have a couple of
pinball games and several video games scattered around the rink.
Overall, this is a nice and well-kept up rink. They recently repainted
everything, and replaced a game room with a dance floor. This has done
very well and keeps the dancers off the skate floor.
However, the music selections leave something to be desired most nights.
Occasionally, some nights will be entirely taped - rare, but it does
happen. You can expect to hear top-40s, country, and a few older songs
on any given Saturday night, but it's mostly top-40.
There are no scheduled adult sessions or anything similar - people just
didn't go to their Wednesday night 18-and-over sessions, but Sundays and
and Thursdays tend towards and older crowd. A few bring little kids,
but not so much that it is a problem. Friday and Saturdays tend toward
the teen nights, but adults still frequent the place on those nights too.
The owners are strict about any rule-breaking - for example pick a fight
and you'll be banned for a month. It's nice to know that you can just
go and skate knowing it will be mostly trouble-free.
[ S_RJMARQUETT@vaxa.clarion.edu (RJ Marquette) - update 9/96 ]
Seneca Skating Rink is installing new carpeting, and has also newly
refinished their floor. It's very, very nice and a *lot* smoother than
it used to be going across the center. It's like a new rink!
====
Erie, PA 16505-3839
Evan's Skateland West
3162 West Lake Road
Erie is located in northwestern Pennsylvania, on Lake Erie. Evans
Skateland is just west of Erie, near the airport. From I-79, get off
at the end - Rt 5, then head west on Rt 5 for about a mile to Rt 642,
north on Rt 642 to Rt 5A. Head west again on Rt 5A, the rink should
be a bit after Rt 5A merges with West Lake Road, on the right at the
corner of Kelso Drive.
814-833-0740
RSA Member Rink
USAC/RS Artistic and JO Clubs
[ FEstep@aol.com (Frank Estep) ]
The same owners as Evan's in Jamestown also have Evan's Skateland West
in Erie, Pennsylvania, which for many years has had a large artistic
skating group. I have not skated there in many years but did see some
competitors from there at Nationals.
====
Erie, PA 16508-1704
Yevet's Let's Skate
351 West 26th Street
Erie is located in northwestern Pennsylvania, on Lake Erie. Yevet's
is located in Erie, near the Vincent Health Center. From I-79, get
of at the US 20 - West 26th Street exit, and heat east on 26th for
about 2-1/2 miles. The rink should be on the right, between Chestnut
and Cochran Streets.
814-455-6054
====
Harborcreek/Erie, PA 16510-2207
Skate Way Roller Rink
4646 Buffalo Road
Harborcreek is located in northwestern Pennsylvania along the Lake Erie
coastline about about 7 miles east of Erie. The Skate Way Rink appears
to be on the east end of Erie out along US 20 in the direction of
Harbor Creek. From I-90, take the Rt 430 - Station Road exit and head
northwest until you hit US 20, then turn right to head east on Buffalo
Road. After crossing Nagle Road, the rink should be between Knoll Ave
and Saltsman Road.
814-899-6800
Tues 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Dollar Night (1st & 3rd)
7:00 PM - 9:30 PM Christian Music (2nd & 4th except Summer)
Weds 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM (except Summer)
Thurs 9:30 PM - 11:30 AM Kids Skate
Fri 7:30 PM - 11:30 PM
Sat 9:30 AM - noon Kids Skate
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM (except Summer)
7:30 PM - 11:30 PM
Sun 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
[ A-roses@msn.com (Jessica or Mary Ann) ]
I am writing with information on SkateWay Roller Rink in Harborcreek, PA.
RSA Member Rink
USAC/RS Artistic and JO Clubs
====
Johnstown, PA 15906-2331
Roseland
112 Fairfield Avenue
Johnstown is in central Pennsylvania, between Altoona and Pittsburgh.
Roseland is located in the northwestern part of Johnstown. From the
Pennsylvania Turnpike, get off at exit 10 - Somerset, follow the signs
to US 219 and take US 219 north for about 25 miles towards Johnstown,
then get off at the Rt 56 - Solomon Run Bypass exit and follow this
into Johnstown. Where the bypass ends at Bedford Street, keep heading
northwest on Rt 56 for about 4 miles to where it makes an abrupt left
onto Laurel Avenue and then crosses some railroad tracks, and then
immediately turn left to head south on D Street. After about 8 blocks,
turn left onto Fairfield, the rink should be on the left side of the
first block.
814-536-9653
====
Johnstown, PA 15904-1134
Skateland Roller Rink
423 Walters Avenue
Johnstown is in central Pennsylvania, between Altoona and Pittsburgh.
Skateland is located in the northwestern part of Johnstown. From the
Pennsylvania Turnpike, get off at exit 10 - Somerset, follow the signs
to US 219 and take US 219 north for about 25 miles towards Johnstown,
then get off at the Rt 56 - Solomon Run Bypass exit. Get off at the
first exit, Walter Avenue, and head west on Walter for about a mile.
The rink should be on the right, by a Barbara Drive.
814-266-5507
====
Kane, PA 16735-1350
Shirley's Temple
112 Fraley Street
Kane is located in northwestern Pennsylvanaia, about 75 miles south-
east of Erie, on the eastern edge of the Allegheny National Forest.
From Rt 17 in New York, get off at exit 23 - US 219 and head south on
US 219 about 25 miles, then head west on US 6 for about 7 miles into
Kane. Turn left at Rt 66 - Fraley street, cross the tracks and the
Temple should be a block further at the corner of Fraley and Pine.
814-837-7292
====
Martinsburg, PA 16662-1195
Morrison's Cove Memorial Park
201 South Walnut Street
814-793-2176/793-3335
USAC/RS Artistic and JO Clubs
[ web gleanings ]
Morrisons Cove Memorial Park is the "Cove's" Community public park,
operated year 'round with a wide variety of family oriented programs
and activities. We invite you to participate in our activities. The
park provides banquets & banquet rooms, baton classes, bingo, bowling,
community library, counseling, gymnastics, senior center & meals
programs, senior citizens lounge, pre-school programs, roller skating
and volleyball to mention a few.
====
Meadville, PA 16335
Meadville Area Recreation Complex
800 Thurston Road
814-724-6006
Seasonal - Outdoor?
This municipal recreation complex has a seasonal rink that operates as
a roller rink in the summer and an ice rink in the winter.
====
Mingoville, PA 16856
Hecla Park Skating Center
Mingoville is located in north-central Pennsylvania, in the State
College area, near Bellefonte. From I-80 exit 24, head south on
Rt 26 to Rt 64, though northeast on Rt 64 through Zion, turn right
on Walker Road to Mingoville, though town and the park should be
the first road on the left.
814-383-2324
According to the attendent at Trout Pond Park, Hecla Park has a larger
skating rink than they do.
====
Mount Union, PA 17066
Raystown Roller Rink
Route 522 South
Mount Union is located in central Pennsylvania, between Harrisburg and
Altoona. From the Pennsylvania Turnpike, get off at exit 13 - US 522
and head north on US 522 for about 25 miles towards Mount Union. The
rink should be on US 522, probably just before you get to Mount Union.
814-542-2520
====
New Bethlehem, PA 16224
Roller Rink
Red Bank Municipal Park
New Bethlehem is located in southwester Pennsylvania, about 45 miles
northeast of Pittsburg along Rt 66 about midway between Kittanning
and Clarion. From I-80, get off at the Rt 66 exit and head south on
Rt 66 towards Kittanning for about 16 miles.
814-275-2585(town office)
This rink has been mentioned a number of places as a county registration
center, but doesn't seem to be listed anywhere as a roller rink...
====
Punxsutawney, PA 15767
Good's Rollerlodge
Rt 36 North
From I-80, get off at Exit 13 - Rt 26 - Brookville. Head south on
Rt 26 and then turn left to head southeast on US 322. At the bottom
of the hill, turn right at the traffic light onto Rt 36 and follow
Rt 36 southwards for about 18 miles towards Punxsutawney. Good's
is outside fo town, on the left side of the road. If you get into
Punxsutawney, you've goon too far.
814-938-9065
Winter - October thru April
Wed 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM Family Cards Accepted
Fri 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM
Sat 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM
7:30 PM - 10:00 PM Family Cards Accepted
Sun 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Summer - May thru September
Fri 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Sat 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM
8:00 PM - 10:30 PM Family Cards Accepted
Hardwood - Medium Size - Oval
Snack Bark - Skate Shop - Not Air-Conditioned
In-lines permitted after inspection - available for rent
RSA Member Rink
USAC/RS Artistic and JO Clubs
[ S_RJMARQUETT@vaxa.clarion.edu (RJ Marquette) ]
This is a half-decent mid-sized rink. They do allow in-line skates after
inspection. Although I found the floor to be slick with my inlines (this
is the only floor I've ever had trouble sticking to), I enjoy going there
because the owners are really nice people - they came up to meet me during
my first session there.
On the downside, while they re-coat the floor yearly, they never seem to
dust-mop it, and they don't take musical requsts.
Their snack bar is okay; the prices aren't too outlandish like some rinks.
Their men's room could use some air fresheners, although it is kept clean.
They do have several pinball machines and video games. The skate shop
seemed rather smallish to me, but they may have more stock in the back.
I believe this rink also has roller hockey and dance/figure skate clubs.
[ S_RJMARQUETT@vaxa.clarion.edu (RJ Marquette) - update 9/96 ]
Good's Roller Lodge has a newly refinished floor too. No problem at
all sticking to this one now! :)
====
Reynoldsville, PA 15851
Reynoldsville Rollerdrome
Maple Street at North 5th
Reynoldsville is located in western Pennsylvania, about 65 miles north-
east of Pittsburg and about 10 miles north of Punxsutawney. From I-80,
get off at exit 16 - US 219 and head south on US 219 for about 5 miles,
then west on US 322 for about 6 miles to Reynoldsville. Once in town,
turn right at the Rt 310 - 5th Street intersection and the rink should
be at the corner of Maple Street.
814-653-8651
Small
In-lines Prohibited
RSA Member Rink
USAC/RS Hockey Club
This rink is said to be fairly small and nothing special.
====
Russell, PA 16345-9802
Russell Roller Rink
RFD 2 - Russell
Russell is located in northeastern Pennsylvania, about 50 miles east
of Erie. From Rt 17 - The Southern Tier Freeway in New York, get
of at exit 14 - US 62 and head south, into Pennsylvania, on US 62 for
about 15 miles to Rt 957, then turn left to head into Russel. The
rink probably isn't right in Russell, but rather somewhere in the
surroundng rural area.
814-757-5283
====
Sheffield, PA 16347
Forestview Roller Rink
602 West Main Street
Sheffield is located in northeastern Pennsylvania, about 60 miles
east of Erie, in the center of the Allegheny National Forest. From
Rt 17 - The Southern Tier Freeway in New York, get of at exit 14 -
US 62 and head south, into Pennsylvania, on US 62 for about 20 miles
to US 6 and then head south on US 6 for about 12 miles to Sheffild.
The rink should be on the right near Willow Street, just before you
get to Sheffield.
814-968-9931
====
Snow Shoe, PA 16874
Our Lady Of Snow Skating Rink
Snow Shoe
Snow Shoe is located in central Pennsylvania, about 15 miles north
of State College. From I-80, get of at exit 22 and head west on
Rt 144 for about a mile to Snow Shoe.
814-387-6655
With a name like this, it might be an ice skating rink, I've never
gotten an answer at the listed number.
====
Somerset, PA 15501-9806
Star Lite Roller Skating Center
RFD 6 - Somerset
Somerset is located in southern Pennsylvania, about 25 miles south
of Johnstown. From the Pennsylvnaia Turnpike, get off at exit 10...
814-445-6806
====
Spring Mills, PA 16875
Country Skateaway
RD 2 Spring Mills
Spring Mills is located in north-central Pennsylvania, about 20 miles
east of State College along Rt 45.
814-422-8686
====
Titusville, PA 16354
Millers Rollerdrome
RFD 2 - East Titusville Road
Titusville is located in northwestern Pennsylvania, about 40 miles
southeast of Erie. From I-79, get off at exit 36 - US 6/322 and head
northeast on US 6 into Meadville, then east on Rt 27 for about 25
miles to Titusville. East Titusville road, might be off of Rt 27
a couple miles east of town...
814-827-3412
====
Union City, PA 16438
Canadohta Lake Roller Rink
RFD 2 - Canadohta Lake
Union City is located in northwestern Pennsylvania, about 20 miles
southeast of Erie. The rink is near Canadohta Lake, a lake and ski
resort south of Union City. From I-79, get off at exit 38 - US 6N and
head east on US 6N and then US 6 toward Union City, then south of
Rt 8 for about 6 miles to Canadohta Lake Road. Turn right onto Lake
Road to head to the resort area.
814-694-3608
====
Wilcox, PA 15870
Joy Gardens Roller Rink
Wilcox
Wilcox is located in northwestern Pennsylvanaia, about 75 miles south-
east of Erie, on the eastern edge of the Allegheny National Forest.
From Rt 17 in New York, get off at exit 23 - US 219 and head south on
US 219 about 35 miles to Wilcox...
814-929-5634
========================================================================
Copyright Notice:
This material is Copyright 1994, 1995 by George Robbins. Rights to reproduce
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the material, and that this copyright notice remains intact and visible. All
other rights are reserved, contact George Robbins (grr@tharsis.com) regarding
permissions.
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