This cavernous building was once an important landmark.

One full of fanfare, competition, and celebration.

It's a building from a different era.

Not only in its vintage look, but also in its spirit.

Berkeley Iceland was an Olympic - sized ice rink in Berkeley, California.

It is a unique place, both in size and location, sitting in the middle of a quaint residential neighborhood,

making it a staple to both the local community and a national audience.

It opened its doors in 1940 and instantly became an important destination.

It was a three - time host of the US National Figure Skating Championships.

It was the practice facility for the 1994 USA Men 's Olympic Hockey Team

and it was also home to numerous skating clubs, birthday parties, and teenage date nights.

But now all that is gone.

Only memories are left.

Memories that may not be replicated because places like this just are n't built anymore.

Empty lots are no longer replaced with drive-ins, roller rinks or arcades.

These staples of different eras are not re - emerging.

They are n't showing up in new developments or neighborhoods.

No longer will we see an entire city block dedicated to ice skating.

Instead, we 've made room for the more practical or more modern.

These walls heard the voices of Olympians talking about gold.

This sign glowed invitingly to an entire community.

This is where people might have met their future husbands or wives.

Today, it survives as a testament to nostalgia, a reminder of that place where you grew up

that may have shaped your life in some small way.

Berkeley Iceland is a fading memory, but one with a happy ending.