If you passed through Derry Street lately, you probably have noticed some changes to the building at 7500 Derry Street. If you are from around, you know it wasn’t always like this. The building has gone through a lot of changes during the last couple of decades -- both good and bad. Most that have grown up around the area and probably visited the Star Skating Rink more than once… but if you don’t know what I’m talking about, lets walk down memory lane for a while! We’ll start back as kids and come out of it fully grown, like adults.

1973: Where it all began.

Back in the 70s, the Star Skating Rink opened its doors for everyone to join in, have some fun and pass the time around. Everyone, from beginner skaters to rolling veterans, was allowed. Plenty of friendships were started back then and have lasted for a lifetime. If you are from around Harrisburg, you probably went there regularly -- or at least heard of it! It was the place to be, whether you were going with friends or if you were about to have your first date filled with plenty of butterflies in your stomach. For over 30 years, the Star Skating Rink was the place to be for both young and old.

’07 and a few changes: Wheelz of Fire.

Three years before the end of the 2000s’ first decade, back in 2007, the Star Skating Rink closed. But before anyone could notice, the doors were opened once again. This time it was under a different name: Wheelz of Fire. The building remained the same -- and the heart and soul of skating were there still. Unfortunately, the second skating rink opened and closed in the same fashion: overnight. Without notice, the people of Harrisburg found out the skating rink was no more. Many were left confused. That confusion lasted for a long time. In 2010, the building was a mere souless shell of what it once was.

2010: The beginning of the end -- or the other way around.

Nobody truly knows what happened to Wheelz of Fire. Or what lead to such a sudden event. What we do know is the hole that was left in the community. The Star Recreation Center was left closed for years. Everyone who knew what it once was like could remember the fun they had whenever they passed through. In 2010, nobody knew what was happening. But in reality, the building was getting ready for a change, a complete and total transformation. We went to the skating rink to have fun as kids. But we are adults now and we need something different.

January 19^th 2018: 717 Armory shows up.

It’s been almost 50 years since the first skating rink opened up. And the community was on the precipice of a big change! Yes, we had a lot of fun skating. But we are adults now and we have different needs. 717 Armory opened in an effort to connect the community to a different kind of recreation, a place where public safety personnel could train right along side the citizens they serve. And being a large hunting community, the Armory even has an indoor archery range and bowsmith on site! The 717 Armory has its doors open for everyone, just like they were back in ’73!