TheJuicyDoyenne

By TheJuicyDoyenne

Vintage Roller Rink

It was two years ago today, while living in Florida, that I decided to take a drive to Zephyrhills in hopes of visiting the remarkably beautiful Crystal Springs, which I remembered fondly from earlier visits in the 1980's.
Alas, my hopes were dashed upon arrival at the former entrance to the Springs where I encountered a huge locked gate and signage that indicated that the property was now owned by the Nestle company and no longer open for swimming/picnicking/etc.
What I did come across, as the photo shows, is the vintage Depression-era Crystal Springs Roller Rink. Located alongside the Springs, the Roller Rink debuted in 1939 and was still operating every Friday and Saturday night at the time this photo was taken. 
Sadly the building was in need of very costly repairs, which the owners decided were beyond what they could afford. Reluctantly, they were forced to close the rink in early 2015.

The rockin days of roller skating
Just traveling round and round
Hoping you don't bump into someone
Causing you to both fall down

The music would be blaring
And the lights would set the mood
Girls go around smiling at the guys
Hoping some guy would smile back too

There was always some guy styling
Trying to impress everyone with his moves
He had the best pair of roller skates
Which made him the coolist of the cool

He was the one that sparked you
Made you want to try a couple new moves
So one day you could skate like him
And be the coolist of the cool

Those wild days of roller skating
When problems were all left at the door
Everyone rolling around in a big circle
Hoping their bodies never hit the floor.

~ Dan Kearley, Roller Skating

Comments
Sign in or get an account to comment.