Jim Sirianno of Jamestown has fond youthful memories of skating at Evan's Skateland on Steele Street.
When he grew up, Sirianno purchased the property from John Evan, who closed it for personal reasons. Since purchasing the property, Sirianno has repurposed the historical building to become a storage facility.
Many area residents may remember the 15,000-square foot, hardwood floor that to this day is in such good condition that Sirianno decided to keep it in the building. Instead of replacing the floor, he decided to utilize it in the new Riverwalk Self Storage facility - set to open later this month.
Article Photos
Evan’s Skateland has changed from a roller skating rink, to Mr. Salvage and now it will become the Riverwalk Self Storage facility. But, after decades of service, the floor will remain intact to continue serving the residents of Jamestown.
P-J photos by Dusten Rader
"So many people have fond memories here that I wanted to let The Post-Journal come get one last look at it," said Sirianno. "The floor is what they call a fully floating floor, meaning that it's one piece that's not attached. It's 40 years old, is still perfectly level, and it sustained driving on it with fork-lifts, trucks, cars and tractors. Now, it will still serve a phenomenal purpose to the new facility because it's going to act as the perfect humidifier and dehumidifier for an inside storage facility."
The new Evan's Skateland was built in the summer of 1978 after a fire at the former location in Celoron.
According to Sirianno, the floor will sustain a safe level of humidity for storing important items through both the summer and winter seasons.
"There will be rows and aisles of 100 cubicles actually on the floor," said Sirianno. "It will be just like the outdoor storage facilities, but indoor with a wood floor. So, it's soft on your feet, but perfect for humidity."
Sirianno is also working on opening another location in Falconer.
"I feel that storage in the Northeast should all be indoor," said Sirianno. "Your belongings and heirlooms shouldn't be in a facility that's outdoors where the temperature changes from 20 below to 95 degrees. We're going to maintain heat, cool and humidity."
Security systems will also be in place to protect the items in storage. There will be coded access to the building as well as several digital video cameras.
Sirianno hired BETCO, betcoinc.com, a single-source manufacturer of metal self-storage buildings from North Carolina to assemble the facility.
"They'll be here later this week, and they can assemble it in eight to 10 days," said Sirianno. "So, it should be fully ready to rent out by mid-September."
Before changing the facility to self storage, Sirianno ran a retail store called Mr. Salvage in the building. He started working on the Riverwalk Self Storage facility last November, and it is finally coming together, he said.
"I skated here, I know what it was like and I have the same feeling in my gut every time I come in here," said Sirianno. "That's why the floor, after 40 years, will still serve a purpose."