Favorite type of floor and Favorite Rink

hikkergurl · October 8th, 2006, 05:56 PM

Hey Skaters!

Just wondering a couple of things....

1) [I]What[/I] and where is you favorite rink to skate ?

2) Which type of floor do you prefer and why?

Mine is a wood floor because of glide and I can "feel " it better.

My favorite Rink is Oaks Park(www.oakspark.com) in Portland,OR. because of the historic charm and amazing floor

Liz

rachelannfournier · October 8th, 2006, 11:22 PM

Interskate 88 in Oneonta, NY! It has a beautiful maple floor and a great atmosphere. I choose to drive 25 minutes to get there instead of going to the rink in my town, which has an old crappy floor and is very small.

Ice Ramps · October 9th, 2006, 02:01 AM

I skated a regulation hockey size rink in Vicenza, Italy that was made of Marble it was really smooth and fast but you had to use soft wheels otherwise you would spend more time on the floor than skating on it.

Dale

rokdaddy · October 9th, 2006, 03:02 AM

I like maple floors with clear Roll-On for their nostalgic look, and I like MDF floors with the colored coatings for their smoothness and grip. I have never skated a hardwood floor that didn't have at least a slight washboard feel to it. If it is the only surface you skate on, you get used to the vibration and don't notice it until you skate a smoother surface.

I have only skated on a few coated concrete floors so I really don't have enough experience with those to compare (they are noticably faster though).

The only rink within a 300 mile radius of my home is Roller King in Albuquerque New Mexico. It's only a fifteen minute drive to get there so it is very convenient for us. The rink floor has a MDF underlayment with the standard blue Roll-On coating. The rink owner seems to maintain the surface regularly so it keeps us happy.

motosk8ter · October 10th, 2006, 02:08 AM

When I was a kid in Albuquerque we had the Roller Drome which was bigger than the current Roller King and had great wooden floors. Owner got old and let everything go. It now serves as a Disabled Vets Thrift Store. I need to go in there and check it out and see if the floor and things are still intact. Sure be nice to reopen it but I suspect the expense would be more than I can swing. Phil

rwsz · October 10th, 2006, 02:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rokdaddy

I like maple floors with clear Roll-On for their nostalgic look, and I like MDF floors with the colored coatings for their smoothness and grip. I have never skated a hardwood floor that didn't have at least a slight washboard feel to it. If it is the only surface you skate on, you get used to the vibration and don't notice it until you skate a smoother surface.

I have only skated on a few coated concrete floors so I really don't have enough experience with those to compare (they are noticably faster though).

The only rink within a 300 mile radius of my home is Roller King in Albuquerque New Mexico. It's only a fifteen minute drive to get there so it is very convenient for us. The rink floor has a MDF underlayment with the standard blue Roll-On coating. The rink owner seems to maintain the surface regularly so it keeps us happy.

you really never skated a wood floor until you skated a rotunda floor (spelling), which is a floor with the boards layed side edges up so you skate on them and they bend around the corners so there are no seams. very fast and very smooth. not many of them left anymore. ours turned into a warehouse.

Rick

rokdaddy · October 10th, 2006, 04:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwsz

you really never skated a wood floor until you skated a rotunda floor (spelling), which is a floor with the boards layed side edges up so you skate on them and they bend around the corners so there are no seams. very fast and very smooth. not many of them left anymore. ours turned into a warehouse.

I have always wanted to skate on a rotunda floor, but unfortunately I have never seen one in person. I have seen pictures of a couple of Northeastern rinks that had them but I am not sure if they exist anymore. Do you know of any remaining rotundas in the US?

NWGlenn · October 10th, 2006, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rokdaddy

I have always wanted to skate on a rotunda floor, but unfortunately I have never seen one in person. I have seen pictures of a couple of Northeastern rinks that had them but I am not sure if they exist anymore. Do you know of any remaining rotundas in the US?

A rink in Federal Way City, just south of Seattle, has one I think. When I saw it I wondered how they got the two inch wide T & G to bend; this explains it. The floor was excellent to skate but their maintenance was exceptional too. They even had a mini-Zamboni to clean and polish the floor as needed at the meet.

Bill · October 10th, 2006, 06:13 AM

The Oaks in Portland is an awesome rink and the hardwood floor there is very smooth. It's also one of the largest floors I've skated on. Over the years I've skated in maybe 20-30 rinks and the oaks gets my vote.

hikkergurl · October 10th, 2006, 07:03 AM

Bill,
Did you know that the floor at Oaks Park actually floats due to the Willamette River flooding?

There's info on it at www.oakspark.com
or
www.pstos.org/instruments/or/portland/oakspark

mvirtue · October 10th, 2006, 03:11 PM

I have to agree that Oaks has a really cool floor. But it is disturbing to race on as you have to focus on where you are as it is so wide.

The fastest floor I've been on is Pattison's in Federal Way. The rink I've been in with the best lighting was Rancho Crystal Palace in Vegas.

rwsz · October 10th, 2006, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rokdaddy

I have always wanted to skate on a rotunda floor, but unfortunately I have never seen one in person. I have seen pictures of a couple of Northeastern rinks that had them but I am not sure if they exist anymore. Do you know of any remaining rotundas in the US?

the floor is still down but its a warehouse in warwick rhode island. the other one is guptills in the albany area of new york,,,or is it the syracuse area, i am not sure. its huge, in the record book for the largest indoor skating rink. its 200 wide by 300 long and has a loop area to one side of the floor and a figure to the other, not on the skating floor itself. no skating club there, huge building with high ceiling, looks like an airplane hanger but was build for a roller skating rink. also has a huge video game area and an alocohol free nite club with a glass dance floor.

Rick

Bill · October 10th, 2006, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwsz

the floor is still down but its a warehouse in warwick rhode island. the other one is guptills in the albany area of new york,,,or is it the syracuse area, i am not sure. its huge, in the record book for the largest indoor skating rink. its 200 wide by 300 long and has a loop area to one side of the floor and a figure to the other, not on the skating floor itself. no skating club there, huge building with high ceiling, looks like an airplane hanger but was build for a roller skating rink. also has a huge video game area and an alocohol free nite club with a glass dance floor.

Rick

Rick,
is guptills a rink? I was in Syracuse in 1999 and didn't recall hearing of a rink that big in the area...
Bill

hikkergurl · October 10th, 2006, 04:07 PM

Wouldn't it be great if the local Historic Society's could be petitioned to put the rinks with the old floors on their list so that money and support would be available to refurbish them as a part of Americana history? If that were to happen, I'm sure potential investors could be located.

I'm a dreamer..........

masters_sk8tr · October 11th, 2006, 03:41 PM

The portable floor they use for Indoor Speed Nationals is one of the finest maintained floors I've ever skated on. Only a freshly coated floor is better, and they're hard to find. When you fall on that portable floor, you stick.

Bill · October 11th, 2006, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hikkergurl

Wouldn't it be great if the local Historic Society's could be petitioned to put the rinks with the old floors on their list so that money and support would be available to refurbish them as a part of Americana history? If that were to happen, I'm sure potentional investors could be located.

I'm a dreamer..........

I like that idea! Every time a rink closes it's a loss for the community and it's heritage. Most of the time rinks close not because they are loosing money, but easy money can be made by tearing it down and putting something else up.

If you are a dreamer, you're in good company here!
bill

Spins · October 11th, 2006, 04:06 PM

Wood is my choice and I once thought only wood might do. It's a surface beautiful to the eye and a great feel through the wheels when newly coated. But I also live a little closer to rink with the "roll-on" floor and love the tighter grip when not having been on it for a while. It is like a newer pair of shoes.

It only takes one or two laps to adjust to each texture and then it seems not to make a difference the rest of the night's work out.

Gary
o-o

****************************888

rwsz · October 11th, 2006, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill

Rick,
is guptills a rink? I was in Syracuse in 1999 and didn't recall hearing of a rink that big in the area...
Bill

Bill Guptils is a rink, its in a surrounding town, but i think its the albany area of new york, not 100% sure, but if it isnt there its the syracuse area. i will have to do some research and find out i think the town it is in is Latham ny.
its in the guiness book of records as the largest indoor rink in the world.

Rick

hungryrollerblader · October 11th, 2006, 11:01 PM

I like the kind of floor that has ramps on it

Carolyn · November 5th, 2006, 04:03 AM

I love, love, love the rink in Richland Center, WI, where they have a suspended maple floor. It is fabulous. It is 70 miles from home, but that's where I go 1x/week. The rink in my town sucks big time. I swear the floor there is particle board with holes in it. Galaxie Skate Center in Richland Center. Check it out if you're ever in WI. It is the center of my skating universe!

October 8th, 2006, 05:56 PM	#1
hikkergurl Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lake Oswego,OR Posts: 232	Favorite type of floor and Favorite Rink Hey Skaters! Just wondering a couple of things.... 1) [I]What[/I] and where is you favorite rink to skate ? 2) Which type of floor do you prefer and why? Mine is a wood floor because of glide and I can "feel " it better. My favorite Rink is Oaks Park(www.oakspark.com) in Portland,OR. because of the historic charm and amazing floor Liz Last edited by hikkergurl; January 2nd, 2007 at 05:59 PM.

October 10th, 2006, 02:08 AM	#5
motosk8ter Senior Grand PooPah Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico Posts: 561	When I was a kid in Albuquerque we had the Roller Drome which was bigger than the current Roller King and had great wooden floors. Owner got old and let everything go. It now serves as a Disabled Vets Thrift Store. I need to go in there and check it out and see if the floor and things are still intact. Sure be nice to reopen it but I suspect the expense would be more than I can swing. Phil __________________ Hear Another's Heartbeat Before Your Own and then Pass Them

October 10th, 2006, 07:03 AM	#10
hikkergurl Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lake Oswego,OR Posts: 232	Bill, Did you know that the floor at Oaks Park actually floats due to the Willamette River flooding? There's info on it at www.oakspark.com or www.pstos.org/instruments/or/portland/oakspark Last edited by hikkergurl; October 10th, 2006 at 03:54 PM.

October 10th, 2006, 03:11 PM	#11
mvirtue Rain Coordinator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Port Orchard, WA Posts: 2,292	I have to agree that Oaks has a really cool floor. But it is disturbing to race on as you have to focus on where you are as it is so wide. The fastest floor I've been on is Pattison's in Federal Way. The rink I've been in with the best lighting was Rancho Crystal Palace in Vegas. __________________ - Mark Bremerton Speed http://www.bremertonspeed.org

October 10th, 2006, 04:07 PM	#14
hikkergurl Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lake Oswego,OR Posts: 232	Wouldn't it be great if the local Historic Society's could be petitioned to put the rinks with the old floors on their list so that money and support would be available to refurbish them as a part of Americana history? If that were to happen, I'm sure potential investors could be located. I'm a dreamer.......... Last edited by hikkergurl; October 11th, 2006 at 07:47 PM.

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October 8th, 2006, 11:22 PM	#2
rachelannfournier Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Upstate New York Posts: 47	Interskate 88 in Oneonta, NY! It has a beautiful maple floor and a great atmosphere. I choose to drive 25 minutes to get there instead of going to the rink in my town, which has an old crappy floor and is very small.

October 9th, 2006, 02:01 AM	#3
Ice Ramps Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: FOB Hammer Iraq, but my normal home is Columbus, Georgia but I often go to Birmingham, Alabama Posts: 167	I skated a regulation hockey size rink in Vicenza, Italy that was made of Marble it was really smooth and fast but you had to use soft wheels otherwise you would spend more time on the floor than skating on it. Dale

October 9th, 2006, 03:02 AM	#4
rokdaddy Runs with scissors Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Cedar Crest, NM Posts: 397	I like maple floors with clear Roll-On for their nostalgic look, and I like MDF floors with the colored coatings for their smoothness and grip. I have never skated a hardwood floor that didn't have at least a slight washboard feel to it. If it is the only surface you skate on, you get used to the vibration and don't notice it until you skate a smoother surface. I have only skated on a few coated concrete floors so I really don't have enough experience with those to compare (they are noticably faster though). The only rink within a 300 mile radius of my home is Roller King in Albuquerque New Mexico. It's only a fifteen minute drive to get there so it is very convenient for us. The rink floor has a MDF underlayment with the standard blue Roll-On coating. The rink owner seems to maintain the surface regularly so it keeps us happy.

October 10th, 2006, 06:13 AM	#9
Bill Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Silicon Valley, CA Posts: 1,694	The Oaks in Portland is an awesome rink and the hardwood floor there is very smooth. It's also one of the largest floors I've skated on. Over the years I've skated in maybe 20-30 rinks and the oaks gets my vote.

October 11th, 2006, 03:41 PM	#15
masters_sk8tr Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: ...on a flyer Posts: 30	The portable floor they use for Indoor Speed Nationals is one of the finest maintained floors I've ever skated on. Only a freshly coated floor is better, and they're hard to find. When you fall on that portable floor, you stick. __________________ [i]"...Lead, follow, or get out of my way!..."[/i] Last edited by masters_sk8tr; October 11th, 2006 at 06:40 PM.

October 11th, 2006, 04:06 PM	#17
Spins Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 299	The Best Floor Wood is my choice and I once thought only wood might do. It's a surface beautiful to the eye and a great feel through the wheels when newly coated. But I also live a little closer to rink with the "roll-on" floor and love the tighter grip when not having been on it for a while. It is like a newer pair of shoes. It only takes one or two laps to adjust to each texture and then it seems not to make a difference the rest of the night's work out. Gary o-o ****************************888 __________________ [FONT="Book Antiqua"][/FONT][I][B]The last great virtue of any civilization in decline is tolerance. [/I]--Dr. D. James Kennedy[/B]

October 11th, 2006, 11:01 PM	#19
hungryrollerblader ..The weird kid in school Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Post Falls, Idaho Posts: 492	I like the kind of floor that has ramps on it

November 5th, 2006, 04:03 AM	#20
Carolyn Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 8	Maple - yes! I love, love, love the rink in Richland Center, WI, where they have a suspended maple floor. It is fabulous. It is 70 miles from home, but that's where I go 1x/week. The rink in my town sucks big time. I swear the floor there is particle board with holes in it. Galaxie Skate Center in Richland Center. Check it out if you're ever in WI. It is the center of my skating universe!

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