Skating Rink Turned Storage Facility

Name: Skating Rink Turned Storage Facility
Uploaded: 2026-03-03T16:40:37+00:00

Episode Summary

In this episode, Modern Storage® explores the history behind Modern Storage®'s Hot Springs facility, which was once a beloved local skating rink called Skateland. Modern Storage® sits down with Mike to find out whether tenants ever share memories of the space, and the stories range from romantic beginnings to memorable falls on the rink floor. It is a look at how self storage facilities can become part of a community's long-term story.

Key Takeaways

The Hot Springs Modern Storage® facility was previously a skating rink called Skateland before being converted into self storage.

Tenants frequently share personal memories of the original space, including stories of meeting significant others and learning to skate there.

Repurposed buildings can give storage facilities a unique local identity and a built-in connection to the surrounding community.

Episode Notes

Self storage facilities are not always built from the ground up. Some of the most interesting properties in the industry have a history that goes far deeper than roll-up doors and climate control units. The Hot Springs location featured in this episode is a perfect example. Before it became a Modern Storage® facility, it was Skateland, a roller skating rink that served as a gathering place for the local community for years. That kind of origin story is rare in the industry, and it gives this particular facility a character that most storage properties simply do not have. In this episode clip, Modern Storage® sits down with Mike to talk about what it is like to operate a facility with that kind of local history attached to it. The conversation quickly turns to the tenants themselves, who do not just come in to rent a unit and leave. Many of them walk through the door and immediately start sharing stories about the building. They remember coming to Skateland as kids, teenagers, and young adults. Some of them met their significant others on that rink floor. Others have stories about falls, near-misses, and the kind of chaotic fun that skating rinks are known for. These are real community connections, and they show up regularly in day-to-day operations at this location. Adaptive reuse is a growing conversation in the self storage development world. Rather than building on raw land, operators and investors are increasingly looking at underutilized or vacant commercial buildings as potential storage conversions. Former retail stores, warehouses, manufacturing facilities, and yes, even skating rinks, can often be converted into functional storage properties at a lower cost than ground-up construction. This episode touches on what that looks like in practice and what makes a converted facility feel different from one that was purpose-built for storage from the start. There is also a community angle here that self storage operators often underestimate. When a facility has a history that local residents remember fondly, it creates a built-in relationship between the business and the people it serves. Tenants at the Hot Springs location are not just customers. They are people who have a personal connection to the building itself. That kind of goodwill is difficult to manufacture and impossible to replicate by building on an empty lot. It reinforces the idea that self storage is not just a real estate play. It is a local business that exists within a community and can benefit from being thoughtful about that relationship. For self storage professionals, investors, and operators listening to this episode, the takeaway goes beyond the nostalgia of a skating rink conversion. It is a reminder that the buildings we operate have stories, and those stories matter to the people who rent from us. Leaning into that history, acknowledging it, and letting tenants feel seen when they share their memories is a simple but effective way to build loyalty and trust. Modern Storage® does this well, and this episode is a lighthearted but genuine example of what that looks like in action.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about the topics covered in this episode.

Can a roller skating rink be converted into a self storage facility?

Yes, and it is more common than you might expect. Large open floor plans, high ceilings, and solid concrete construction make former skating rinks well-suited for conversion into self storage. The Modern Storage® Hot Springs location is a real example of this kind of adaptive reuse working in practice.

Is it worth buying a repurposed building for self storage instead of building from the ground up?

Repurposed buildings can offer lower acquisition and construction costs compared to ground-up development, especially in markets where land is expensive or limited. Existing structures like former retail spaces, warehouses, or even skating rinks often already have the footprint and infrastructure that storage conversions need. The tradeoff is that older buildings may require significant renovation to meet current storage standards, so due diligence on structural condition is essential.

How do self storage facilities build a connection with the local community?

Storage facilities that occupy buildings with local history have a natural advantage when it comes to community connection. When tenants recognize a space from their past, it creates a personal relationship with the business that pure commercial properties rarely achieve. Modern Storage® has seen this play out at its Hot Springs location, where longtime residents come in and immediately start sharing memories of skating there years ago.

What should a self storage manager know about the history of their building?

Knowing your building's background helps you have more meaningful conversations with tenants and gives you a natural marketing angle that sets your facility apart. If the property has community history, that story is worth telling — on your website, in your signage, and in casual conversation at the front desk. The Modern Storage® Hot Springs team discovered that tenants genuinely light up when the Skateland history comes up, which makes for a better customer experience.

Does the history or previous use of a storage facility building affect its value to renters?

For most renters, what matters most is price, location, security, and unit availability. But when a building has a familiar history in the community, it can reduce the psychological distance between a customer and a new business, making them more likely to choose that facility over a competitor. In the case of Modern Storage® in Hot Springs, the Skateland connection gives the facility a warmth and recognizability that purely commercial buildings rarely have.

Topics covered:Facility Management

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