The "Rolarena"

Trojan · Post by **Trojan** » Mon 21 Jan, 2008 9:23 pm

I think we went roller skating there once. I never went ice skating, I tried once at Blackpool and spent too much time on my backside. However, I used to go bowling there in the sixties every other Saturday (alternating with the Merrion centre and occasionally the one that was in the Arndale at Headingley) I seem to remember going once about 1970 after it was a disco - got some freebies or something.

whippetgirl · Post by **whippetgirl** » Sat 07 Feb, 2009 9:18 pm

Yorkshireranger wrote: Coincidence, nearly started a similar thread yesterday, lived in that building for years, up the flight of steps pay your entrance money in and inside to the skate room which was situated on the right beyond the first set of inner doors, shuffle along in stockinged feet, to the tables and chairs, only to find the skates they had given you were th wrong size, back to the que to get the correct size. Roller skates on, head to the openings on the wall, and get onto the maple floor, regular intervals for forward and backward speed skating, were called, to allow the more proficient skaters the room to aply their skills, music booming out over the loudspeakers, one that sticks out like a sore thumb was "Lonley Boy" by Paul Anka, released in the early 60's bit still playing in the seventies.Remember a young girl/woman, think her name was Linda, small and possibly with a limp to one leg, great skater!!!Upstairs there was a small balcony where you could watch the skaters (or birds) depending on your preference.Best part of the days excursion was getting off the bus by the Yorkshire Post building and walking down Kirkstall Road, straight into the "Tommato Dip" for the bacon butty and a coke.As for the photo above, I would call that misleading, the original entrance was diectly in the middle of the building and not to one side as shown, closer inspection will show the original outline of the doors were placed central Hey there lonely girl was by Eddie Holman I think and yes it always reminds me of the rolarena as well.

Whyme · Post by **Whyme** » Sun 08 Feb, 2009 12:23 am

drapesy wrote: I've been meaning to get a pic of the old Rolarena for ages - and here it is at last. Thats my van parked outside 104 !!!!!

Bramley4woods · Post by **Bramley4woods** » Sun 08 Feb, 2009 1:57 am

Chrism wrote: AusthorpeWhite wrote: Yeah, I remember itWhenever I mention it people think I'm mad, most have never heard of it or aren't old enoughGlad I'm not going madDidn't they used to have a break from general skating half way through for a football (might have been hockey) match on skates? I can't remember any hockey of football but they did have breaks for speed skating and and back skaters. They also had breaks for couples if I remember rightly. I wonder if I can still skate like I did then. he he he On the ice rink I seem to recall a break half way through the proceadings to let the ice re-freeze. It would have got about half an inch deep in water in places by then, and be deeply scored.At the end of the night a machine went round and planed the ice and lads used to be offered free tickets to stay back and sweep all the slush down into a sump (Said to be bottomless ! ) which was in the corner behind the organ vestibule.

simong · Post by **simong** » Sun 08 Feb, 2009 2:52 am

Bramley4woods wrote: Chrism wrote: AusthorpeWhite wrote: Yeah, I remember itWhenever I mention it people think I'm mad, most have never heard of it or aren't old enoughGlad I'm not going madDidn't they used to have a break from general skating half way through for a football (might have been hockey) match on skates? I can't remember any hockey of football but they did have breaks for speed skating and and back skaters. They also had breaks for couples if I remember rightly. I wonder if I can still skate like I did then. he he he On the ice rink I seem to recall a break half way through the proceadings to let the ice re-freeze. It would have got about half an inch deep in water in places by then, and be deeply scored.At the end of the night a machine went round and planed the ice and lads used to be offered free tickets to stay back and sweep all the slush down into a sump (Said to be bottomless ! ) which was in the corner behind the organ vestibule. That would be a fabled Zamboni. They had one at Sheffield Silver Blades as well, basically a tractor with scrapers attached.

tykette · Post by **tykette** » Wed 11 Feb, 2009 5:27 pm

This is the building where I work now !The Calendar news programme is produced in what was the skating rink.There are rumours that the vaults are haunted by the ghost of a decapitated skater - very strange.

drapesy · Post by **drapesy** » Wed 11 Feb, 2009 9:01 pm

tykette wrote: This is the building where I work now !The Calendar news programme is produced in what was the skating rink.There are rumours that the vaults are haunted by the ghost of a decapitated skater - very strange. Whaddya mean rumours??? Of course it is, I thought everybody knew that!!!

TommyW · Post by **TommyW** » Tue 28 Sep, 2010 3:51 pm

I used to go to the Rollerena every night during the late 60s and early 70s. I even bought my own roller skates from there at a cost of £53. The manager was Mr Philips.. I attended all the all night sessions which went through till 7am, a good time was had by all. They had the speed sessions, the couples sessions, all of which I took part in. I even celebrated my 18th birthday there, when some of the staff and friends eventually caught me, dragged me into the middle of the skating rink and got a tray full of ice cubes and emptied the tray down each leg of my oxford bags, a great memorable night. There was a night club above the Rollerena called 'Carolines'. I attended the very last night the Rollerena opened, we cursed YTV for ruining such a great past time for all of us. There were many a tear shed that night, girls and boys, people we met from all over Leeds that we probably would never see again. The only place left to go to was the Mecca disco in the Merrion Centre. Shortly after that I joined the Army. YTV have added the lift to the front of the building now.

trophy · Post by **trophy** » Wed 29 Sep, 2010 9:33 am

about four of us went on sunday nights we would drink double diamond(awful stuff) which took ages to pour just before the break we would give the barman a nod and he would have the beers ready on the bar.

TommyW · Post by **TommyW** » Wed 29 Sep, 2010 9:57 am

My tipple at the bar was Watneys Keg, it wasn't too bad once the first couple had gone down. I remember meeting a very nice lass in the bar, Sue Lawson was her name.