ca. 1971. Aerial view of former Tacoma Sports Arena with artist's rendering of possible architectural changes. Ben's Truck Parts had purchased the Tacoma Sports Arena (known prior as the Tacoma Ice Palace) on September 3, 1971. The company had commissioned the Richards Studio to take several aerial photographs of the Arena and vicinity. This aerial view shows possible architectural changes to the building and site with shimmering pools facing So. 38th St. and a profusion of trees and shrubs added. The exterior of the building would also change with walls apparently extended and a changed roofline. The location was easily accessible by traveling on So. 38th St. (now one of the city's busiest streets due to the close proximity to the Tacoma Mall), South Tacoma Way, and from the north, Union Ave. Color photograph ordered by Ben's Truck Parts.
View from air of the Tacoma Sports Arena (formerly known as the Tacoma Ice Palace), 3801 South Union Avenue. Ben's Truck Parts had taken possession of the 25-year-old building on September 20, 1971. Originally built as an ice skating facility for $305,000, it was the home of the Pacific Coast League Tacoma Rockets hockey team for several years. Later usage of the Arena expanded to include live boxing events, motorcycle racing, Roller Derby, pro wrestling and dances. It was sold to Ben's Truck Parts for $175,000. Other structures of note in the above photograph include the Post Office's Terminal Annex on Warner St. and the Tacoma Mall Shopping Center at upper left corner. Color photograph ordered by Ben's Truck Parts. (TNT 9-3-71, p. 1 - article)
Aerial views; Tacoma Sports Arena (Tacoma); Tacoma Ice Palace (Tacoma); Ben's Truck Parts (Tacoma); Tacoma Mall Shopping Center (Tacoma);
Aerial view of former Tacoma Sports Arena, recently sold to Ben's Truck Parts. It is the large building in the center of photograph with dark brown roof and reddish walls. Built in 1946, it opened as the Tacoma Ice Palace and had a 14,400 sq.ft. skating area, room enough for 500 skating couples. The Ice Palace was 279 feet long and had spans on the roof of 162-feet, second largest in the Northwest at the time. It had been the home of the (defunct) Tacoma Rockets pro hockey team, ice skating, motorcycle racing and live boxing. More recently, Roller Derby, pro wrestling, dances and flower shows had been held there. Ben's Truck Parts bought the building for $175,000 and would take possession on September 20, 1971. Color view of Tacoma Sports Arena: South Tacoma Way is street running horizontally at bottom of photograph; 38th St. is long street running vertically near left; Post Office Terminal Annex is at 38th & Warner, just above the Arena. Warner turns into Union Ave. after the intersection with 38th St. Photograph ordered by Ben's Truck Parts. (TNT 9-3-71, p. 1- article)
