Ches-A-Rena, 1216 Pittsburgh St, Cheswick, Pennsylvania

• Operator: Elmer & Victoria Dattola[1] (1947), Christopher J. Dattola[2], Paul Abbott[3] (1983), Michael Aranson[11], Fred Panzo[5] (1998).
• Manager: Mike Mattern[3] (1983), John Panzo[8] (2000)
• Pro/Coach: [?]
• Organist: [?]
• DJ: [?]
• Floor size: [?]
• Floor type: Log cabin, wood. (see photos)
• Primary reason for closing: "The roller skating fell out of fashion, and the rink was converted into a music venue."[5]
• Opened: 1947[1] - 2006[6]

"The building was remodeled in 1957/8, and an addition was built onto it. The skating rink moved to the second floor, and a grocery store, a Thorofare, moved into the bottom. Over the decades it evolved to have multiple businesses on the bottom floor, most recently a Goodwill store and a day care upstairs."[5]

As of 2018, Ches-A-Rena is only a memory. Google shows it as an empty lot.

Photo at top courtesy the Tribune-Review.[8]


1947 Grand Opening Announcement[7]



Owners, Elmer & Victoria Dattola.[7]






The Ches-A-Rena gets remodeled in 1957/8. The skating rink moved to the 2nd floor, and a Pace Setter Market moved into the 1st floor.

A more recent photo with Goodwill replacing Pace Setter on the 1st.

Ches-A-Rena 1971[8]

















Manager, John Panzo - Feb 4, 2000[8]


"The Fun Shop", Feb 5, 2004[8]



Courtesy Ches-A-Rena FB Group.


One last look, March 24, 2018.[7]






One Final Spin - March 24th, 2018



Ches-A-Rena being demolished on May 31, 2018.[10]


Then & Now.
Top photo courtesy the Tribune-Review[8],
bottom two are courtesy Google.

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