South Shields, Sea Road, Olympia Skating Rink

HER Number:
16785

District:
S Tyneside

Site Name:
South Shields, Sea Road, Olympia Skating Rink

Place:
South Shields

Map Sheet:
NZ36NE

Class:
Recreational

Site Type: Broad:
Sports Building

Site Type: Specific:
Skating Rink

General Period:
Modern

Specific Period:
C20

Form of Evidence:
Documentary Evidence

Description:
Architects were Joseph H Morton & Son, who also designed White City on Northumberland Road, Newcastle. It opened in 1910. Most rinks had closed by 1914 but the Olympia lasted longer because it hosted other sports such as boxing. In 1931, when the rink was renamed the Spa Roller Rink, a Yorkshireman called Arnold Binns broke the world record by roller skating non-stop for 72 hours and 18 minutes. The rink burnt down in January 1932.

Easting:
37162

Northing:
67574

Grid Reference:
NZ3716267574

Lats/Lons:

Sources:
2010, Played in Tyne and Wear - Charting the heritage of people at play, p 18