When we last checked with the closed Starlite Skate Rink on old Route 66 near Sapulpa, Okla., about 18 months ago, it was being converted into a church.
Now the Sapulpa Daily Herald says the roller-skating facility is going back to its old ways. It’s been rechristened as the Route 66 Roller Dome, and its grand opening– or reopening — was Oct. 15.
The Herald reported:
The rink is re-modeled in and out, with colorful logos and day-glo colors. Even the rollerdome’s old wooden plank rink floor has been rejuvenated with a modern flair.
“The most frequent question I get is that everyone asks if the hardwood floor from the 1950s is still here. It is still here, it’s just underneath the skatecourt,” said proprietor J.W. Roberds.
Skate court flooring is a multi-color composite material, a bit more forgiving to skaters losing balance and falling than hardwood. […]
The renovations are now complete and the new rink sports bright black-light responsive carpet on the walls, colored skatecourt flooring, rotating disco ball, special lighting, and a state of the art sound system.
There is also a concession stand, skate rental booth, disc jockey booth, arcade room, and remodeled bathrooms. Lockers are available for rent and there are about 100 free shoe cubbies also.
Owner J.W. Roberds said renovations took longer than normal because the facility had suffered water damage.
One area resident told Roberds that the rink opened in 1951.
The newspaper’s online report didn’t include photos. So I went to the rink this afternoon and took images and video of my own:
In February 2010, the then-closed skating rink reopened as a home for Sapulpa Life Church. Pastor Bart Kelly said in telephone interview today that Starlite was the church’s home for about a year. The congregation then moved into another location in downtown Sapulpa.
Roberds recently found Starlite by scouring the Internet, when JKJ Realty had it available for lease.
Route 66 Roller Dome also has a Facebook page.
Ron, Thanks for the write up! Looking forward to lots of good times at Route 66 Roller Dome! Julie
Now, that’s a sign. Did they rehab it as well?
I am married to the orginal owner’s son. We live in Tulsa. Owner was Berry & Phyllis Simpson. Berry III is my husband who was born in 1950. He remembers when his parents built the rink in 1953. He worked there from the time it opened until they sold.
This is the orginal sign my Father in law had installed when he built the rink in 1953.
Ah, thank you so much for your information. Really helps me to finish the profile I am cataloging on Starlite Roller Rink on my website, Dead-Rinks.
Wow, this is valuable information that I can use for my website that I am profiling about Starlite rink your inlaw operated back then. But I never know how or why they sold it. Why?