Demolition begins at B&J Skate Center after summer fire

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- As crews demolish the nearly 50-year-old building once filled with childhood memories, the smell of popcorn and family traditions, the St. Joseph community is mourning its loss.

After a fire on June 22 closed B&J Skate Center, one of St. Joseph's long-time sources of entertainment, the fate of the building came into question.

The fire burned for almost three hours and melted the frame of the building, according to a statement from B&J on Facebook.

Excavating crews were seen tearing down the building on Tuesday afternoon.

The Facebook statement continued, "B&J Skate Center is not going to be back the way it was. We are going to redevelop the land, but it won't be the same and we know how hard that is."

B&J said it will share when plans are ready for what's going to be done at the location at 6421 N. Belt Highway.

Also included in the Facebook statement, the skating rink said that after hosting free Sunday skating sessions for the Noyes Home for Children, any money raised to support B&J in its future after the fire is being donated to the Noyes Home to support future outings for the children.