Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1885-04-06
The Citizens Rink .

The Citizens Rink and Natatorium
at Fourth and Washington streets
was opened 10 The public last Saturday
afternoon, and there was vass crowd
In attendance. Everybody sesmed
pleased with the new building, and
surprised at its completeness in every
detail. The place was crowded again
in the evening, ana fully 1000 persons
we're on rollers enjoying the exhilara-
thug exercise. The skating floor is OF
maple, 65x185 feet, and although
80 many were moving around upon it
at once, there was not the slightest
confusion and very few collisions.
The musicians occupy a,square gallery
suspended by iron rods from the centre
Of the building, and the Selak band
of York, Pa, who have been perma-
nantly engaged, rendered some very
excellent m,,sic: Light is. supplied by
ten electric lights, and the scene on
Saturday evening was one of the most
animated and enjoy able ever witnessed
In this city.
The arrangement of this model rink
is complete in every particular, while
the system adopted for ventilation is
the best in use anywhere, and cannot
fail to be appreciated. The entrance Is
wide and commodious, and the means
| for exit are 30 complete that no matter
how large a crowd may be present, the
building can, if necessary, be emptied
in three minutes The ticket office and
| mana gers room is On the left of the
EN- mtrance, and adjoins the promenade
room, inwhich Is q handsome soda foun.
tain.
Above this room is the gallery, which
commands view Of the entire skating
| surface, and is protected by massive
iron railing in gilt bronze. Tho skate
room is ON the right of the main en-.
| trance door, and to the right of 1t il
the cloak and coat room, which Is ar
ranged with pegs to hang the garments
on. Adjoining this room Is private
oiling room for the owners of private
skates, and no oiling is permitted out
side Of this room. The skates delivered
from the skate room do not need oiling
as they are in perfect condition wher
handed to the patrons.
Immediately above these rooms is tn
, smoking room, with an open front, and
no glass to obscure the view Of the ska
/, ting surface, las it is 80 arranged that al
smoke escapes through the roof. Their
Is an annex on the left Of the skatiD
, sur face for the use of beginners. i
tho west end of the building, on tn
rlgb; there is 3 ladies 'psrlor, handsome
ly furnished and supplied with ever
$ convenience. On the left, in the sam
> end of the building, there is parlor fc
gentlemen, near to which is the eI
! trance to the gymnasium In the bas'
ment, which is free to the patrons {
J, both sex, certain hours during the da
: being allotted 10 each
On each side of the building thel
y are ten chairs, each numbered, to wbiC
|. the attention of those desiring instru
tions ia called, as only those occupyir
d these chairs will be approa ahed by IL
INSTRUCTORS. The natatorium is alread
II under way, and will be pushed TO,
ward to completion as rapidly as pos'
BILE. 1t is not probable that there is
10 more complete building for the purpo
in this country. and the managers a
y deserving of great credit for furnishi
the residents of this city with such
IL perfect and beautiful structure, tn
will no doubt prove source of 80 mu
pleasure to those who wish to parti
pate in the exercises for which it is
IA tended.