Did you ever skate at the Lakewood Ice Arena? Did you ever dance at the building before it became an ice arena? Are you even aware of the building being referred to?
The Lakewood Ice Arena was located on Steilacoom Boulevard near its intersection with Edgewater Dr SW just south of the Y intersection where one road goes on as Steilacoom and the other is 88th St. SW.
In years long gone, the ice arena occupied the property now housing an apartment complex on the northeast shore of Lake Steilacoom.
The Lakewood Ice Arena will be the topic of the Lakewood Historical Society’s monthly program at the Lakewood Library on Tuesday, Jan. 18 starting at 7 pm. The event is free and open to the public.
The Shanaman Sports Museum of Tacoma-Pierce County has numerous photos of the facility and skaters who trained there and also participated in competitions. There are also numerous photos on record from the ice skating shows and contests held there as well as the parties and gatherings in the snack bar.
The Society program will include a PowerPoint showing of many of these historic photos, many of them with groups of up to 60 skaters. Shanaman Sports Museum spokesman Marc Blau made their photos available to the Lakewood Historical Museum for this speial program.
If you were ever in the building – or your parents or siblings were – this might be a great chance to share memories with each other and newcomers.
Sandy Grape says
Yes, I did skate at the Lakewood Ice Arena back in the 1970’s. When my son was about 2 1/2, we were neighbors w/ Mr. & Mrs. Lane Judson, parents of Crystal & Julie Judson. It was Mrs. Judson that suggested I enroll our son, Doug Jr. in a skating class. His teacher’s name was Donna. I also took adult skating lessons myself. It was quite an experience & not one I will ever forget!!
Sandy Grape
(formerly Sandy Cassidy)