Ever since I started writing a town blog, I occasionally get requests to write about a certain topic. There has consistently been one topic that is more frequently requested than any other, by far: Scooters Skating Center. So while there really isn't much of a story to tell, I suppose the least I can do is to help some people reminisce about their youth. Hopefully you'll enjoy the old ads and photos I found.
An indoor skating center was first approved by the Evesham Township Planning Board in 1974. When it opened in 1976, it was one of only two commercial projects scheduled to open that year, the other being a shopping center on Route 70.
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| Print ad 07/08/1978 |
Owned by Bill and Bonnie O'Neal of Delran, NJ, Golden Rings Skating Center was a success almost as soon as it opened. Bonnie O'Neal was a professional skater and skating teacher, and Golden Rings had a special program for handicapped and blind children, who attended free of charge.
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| Bonnie O'Neal and Glen Brummer |
A change of ownership occurred in 1978 when Gary Knight and Guy Chiarulli purchased the rink and it was renamed Evesham Skating Center. Mr Knight also owned Skater's Choice Family Skating Center in Washington Township. During the 90s, Mr Chiarulli built the Cross Keys Skating Rink in Winslow.
Admission during 1979 was $2.50 and skate rental was 75 cents. The most requested songs during the era were Donna Summer's 'Last Dance', Evelyn Champagne King's 'Shame' and the Trammps 'Disco Inferno'.
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| Evesham Skating Center in 1979 |
"The maple floor of the Evesham Skating Center in Marlton looks like a human expressway, as some 600 unidentified disco-flying objects cruise to the beat of the Trammp's 'Disco Inferno', which is testing the capacity of the sound system.
There's even an unofficial traffic control system. Disco-skating neophytes stomp like fledgling flamingos in the center of the rink, while more confident gyrators ease their wheels in concentric circles around them. Its a good safety arrangement. Otherwise, a decelerating disco-roller might knock a pack of stork-footed neophytes into spread-eagled heaps.
Whistle toting guards, meanwhile, act as mother hens trying to keep speed-freaks in check - prompting at least one observer to ask why the owners don't post speed limits" (1)
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| Owners Guy Chiarulli and Gary Knight examine damage after a storm on 7/16/80 |
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| Print ad 07/11/1981 |
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| Ad 11/2/79 |
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| Terry Merstock (on skates!) of Cherry Hill at the Evesham Skating Rink bridal show |
The rink changed ownership again in 1999 when the rink was purchased by Al & Stefani Roach & Bill Eschert. The name was changed again, this time to Scooters. The rink also underwent a complete renovation. The new ownership created 'The Committee', a group of Scooters employees and 10 young volunteers to meet weekly and discuss 'life at Scooters and life in general'. They would discuss and vote on music, skating games and all rink activities. The committee also offered peer support and counseling.
Scooters wasn't just for kids though. There were adults only sessions on Friday mornings that would attract a few dozen seniors and an adult 'Coffee Klatch'.
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| Amy Anderson at a 'Senior Skate' |
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| Scooters Ad 3/2/08 |
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| Halloween 1999 |
Scooters was sold in January 2008 to the company that owns the Care One facility next door and is currently being used for storage. According to current tax records, the property is still classified as a roller rink. So we can dream that Scooters will be reborn some day.
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| Former Scooters 1/6/2019 |
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| Philadelphia Inquirer Jan 26, 1979 |
If you have any photos you want me to add to this collection, please send them to me via email or Facebook Messenger. If you post them directly on a Facebook thread, let me know if I can add them.
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(1) Courier Post 1/12/79
