Starlight Skatium roller rink coming to Curry’s building
When I was a kid, the most popular destinations for birthday parties in Fayetteville were McDonalds on College Avenue (they had the most amazing play-land inside the building that was most recently a 24 Hour Fitness), and the Skate Place over off Poplar Street.
For a kid growing up in the 80’s/90’s, Saturday nights at the skating rink were like a right of passage. They would clear the floor for speed skating. Couple skating. Limbo. The dice game (remember the dice game?). Backwards skating.
I never did figure that one out.
But about four years ago, the Skate Place closed, and Fayetteville has been without a roller rink ever since.
In September though, Tiffany Caston and her husband William plan to change that.
“What you’ve heard is true. We’re renovating the Curry’s building in Fayetteville into a roller rink.” Tiffany told us. “Skating is a passion of mine, and I feel like Fayetteville needs to have a rink. We’ve been looking for a good place for a while.”
The building is nearly 17,000 square feet, and has a unique dome ceiling that eliminates the need for support columns.
“It’s very unique architecturally. We’ll be taking out the false ceilings that others have put in and highlighting the dome ceiling.”
The demolition process has already begun on the space, and the Caston’s plan to open the “Starlight Skatium” sometime in late September/early October.
And although Tiffany is a member of the NWA Rollergirls, the new rink won’t be an exclusive roller derby venue. The “Skatium” will specialize in birthday parties, and will have a state-of-the-art sound system for wedding receptions, school dances, and private parties.
“I’m just really excited. Things are moving fast, and it’s the support I’ve heard from the city and the community has been really encouraging.” Tiffany said.
“Skating was a big part of my childhood, and I’d hate for a whole generation of kids in Fayetteville to miss out on that.”
True ‘dat.
Discussion
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By Matt Petty on June 30th, 2009
Yippee!!
I can’t believe it’s going to be downtown!
By mel5545 on June 30th, 2009
This is a great idea! I’m so excited to have a skating rink back in Fayetteville!
By Jon Cox on June 30th, 2009
I’m racking my brain and I can only kind of conjure up a dice game. Someone end my turmoil and enlighten me!
By Todd Gill on June 30th, 2009
Dice Game: The music starts and everyone skates. When the music stops, you rush to stand underneath the nearest numbered sign. The MC rolls a gigantic plush die and if it lands on your number, you and everyone else standing under that number are out. The game continues until there’s a winner. Winner gets to make out with Tena behind the Skeeball game.
By BS on June 30th, 2009
The owners better be prepared to face some opposition if any rezoning (or any other action from the city) is required. The historic district types might fight it. They fought a bar going on the west site of College Ave. between Maple and Lafayette streets and a cell tower going up behind the two-way radio place on College.
By burgerboy on June 30th, 2009
will they serve beer?
By Tony Wappel on June 30th, 2009
Just wanted to say I get more local news more quickly reading the Fayetteille Flyer every couple of days than I ever do from our local print or broadcast media. Keep up the great work!!
By Dustin on June 30th, 2009
@burgerboy I believe that possibility is being explored, but I don’t think it’s a part of the everyday plan. The way I understand it, they’re looking into having beer for private parties.
By Jason on June 30th, 2009
Tena’s so easy. Get some old arcade games in there and I’m the creepy guy hanging out playing Afterburner wearing skates.
By susie on June 30th, 2009
this was first reported in the NWA Business Journal. I’m just sayin’…
By Boggy Creek Creature on June 30th, 2009
@Todd- dude, stop talking about tena. don’t you remember what happened?
I want this place to succeed for so many reasons. First, roller derby. The NWARG is only getting more popular and they desperately need a place in town if they want to reach the really big crowds. Which they totally could. Secondly, this could be exactly what this town needs to bridge the bars/clubs further down College with downtown. Or at least start the bridge. Third, roller derby rocks. I’d rather go to the derby than most Razorback games and I think there’s a large amount of people who’d concur. Fourth, this would be an awesome place to go during the week, families or no.
BS makes a good point though, there’s a lot of noise that can come out of those surrounding neighborhoods.
By Cathy on June 30th, 2009
That. Is. Awesome!!!
By Matt Petty on June 30th, 2009
When you’re talking about replacing Fayetteville’s second famous dirty movie store (Take 2 Video takes first place, I guess), I don’t think there will be much of a problem with a skating rink moving in.
Besides, I doubt a rezoning is required. I’m pretty sure it’s zoned Commercial already.
@Susie – What, no link?
By Dustin on June 30th, 2009
@Suzie I looked for that story on the NWABJ site, and I couldn’t find it anywhere. I tried searching “skate,” “rink,” and “skatium.” I totally would’ve linked to it if I could’ve found it.
By Susie on July 1st, 2009
Here’s a blurb. Web site is a little difficult to navigate, beyond my control…
http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article.aspx?aID=115680.54928.127803&view=all&link=perm
By George on July 1st, 2009
This should be sweet!
Update on Tena. She’s doing quite well now. After doing a quick stint in RPF for a prostitution charge (bogus, mind you), she’s now conducts STD awareness counceling and I’m pretty sure she’s on the Springdale school board. Sorry…no link.
By Infidel on July 1st, 2009
Here’s your ABJ link…Sorry, I don’t know that fancy, pretty boy html stuff. http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article.aspx?aID=115679.54928.127803&k=rink
By Infidel on July 1st, 2009
The other link http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article.aspx?aID=115461
By Infidel on July 1st, 2009
I can’t post! Well, I had the links to the business journal but they aren’t showing up. I’ll try again.
By Infidel on July 1st, 2009
Well, crap, here’s the stupid article. It’s only 2 paragraphs. From the ABJ:
“Special Occasions, one of the divisions of Curry’s Inc., is 150 percent closed according to the marquee in front of the building. We report in this issue that the building at 612 N. College Ave. in Fayetteville was recently purchased by Tiffany and William Caston, and that they plan to open a roller skating rink at the location.
What we didn’t report was that Special Occasions appears to be calling it quits.
We’ve also learned that the Castons are rolling along with their plan, recently applying for a permit with the Arkansas Department of Health for the Starlight Skatium. “
By Beat Bachs on July 1st, 2009
I’ve been so ready to throw another Skate Dance Party since the last one years ago. Can’t wait.
By a. brown on January 12th, 2010
I heard there is an adult skate night (as in older people, not people wearing leftovers from Special Occasions). Anyone know if that’s true? The website doesn’t indicate which nights are for what skaters.
By Starlight on January 12th, 2010
Yes, there is an adult night every Thursday 8pm-11pm. (That’s adult – as in 18 and up.) It’s your chance to get your groove on to funk, disco, and 80s music, without having to dodge the little ones. See you there!
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