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]