A new creative vision for the former Sunrise Rollerland, located behind Sunrise Mall in Citrus Heights is here, painted in a stunning black and white multi-panel billboard creatively inspired by Manga comic book art. Photo by Thomas J. Sullivan

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG0 - A new creative vision for the former Sunrise Rollerland, located behind Sunrise Mall in Citrus Heights is here, painted in a stunning black and white multi-panel billboard creatively inspired by Manga comic book art.

“A new chapter. The same heart.”

“Proud new owners. Proud to care for a legacy that means so much.”

Individual phrases within the new mural evoke and honor fond memories of the roller rink’s rich history now being carried forward under the new ownership of Arcade Monsters.

The mural caught the eye of many on social media last week curious to learn more about the transformation now taking place inside.

A contractor’s representative provided a tour of the interior of the new Arcade Monsters through a side entrance under the condition that no photographs be taken of the work inside.

The name of the general contractor performing the work was not disclosed to the Messenger, and all further comments about the timeline for completion of the construction project were referred to Arcade Monster’s corporate office.

Arcade Monsters purchased the former Sunrise Rollerland at 6001 Sunrise Vista Drive in Citrus Heights for $3.5 million this spring.

We walked directly into the mural through a side door entrance which opened into where the front customer service counter once was.

Interior demolition is largely complete, he said. Work started about a month ago, the Messenger previously reported.

The sale included the business and the approximately 26,736-square-foot entertainment facility that houses it, which is located on a 2.82-acre parcel at 6001 Sunrise Vista Drive adjacent to Sunrise Mall.

Inside, carpeting has been removed throughout the building, and the former shoe rental area and concession stand are now gone.

Interior electrical cables are being run throughout the facility for new arcade gaming equipment which will be installed, he said.

I was guided towards a wall of heavy plastic sheeting which runs floor to ceiling the length of the interior and fully separates the roller rink into its own separate construction zone.

A portion of the sheeting was then pulled back for a closer look at the rink itself.

The maple hardwood roller rink floor is fully protected while construction is taking place. Heavy paper has been placed over the entire floor as new overhead lighting is being installed, I was told.

The new Arcade Monsters venue aims to open this fall, honoring the history of the roller rink while adding hundreds of arcade games and amusements to attract a newer generation of customers.

Multiple individual mural panels which were originally painted in a Medieval theme surrounding the rink were still fully visible. On one side, some mural panels were seen painted over where the outline of a new graffiti-style Arcade Monsters logo will be placed.

Sunrise Rollerland was previously owned and operated by the Neutz family for over 50 years before Ken and Kathy Neutz decided to retire. The couple purchased the rink in 2000 from Ken’s parents, who had owned it since it was built in 1973.

The rink remains a unique part of Citrus Heights history, one of the world’s last remaining rotunda rinks and the fourth largest roller-skating rink floor in the world.

What will become of the individual letters spelling out the Sunrise Rollerland on its iconic outside sign is still to be determined, I was told.

Once removed, the general contractor said he hopes to incorporate letters and the Medieval-themed herald shield into the new interior theme of the new Citrus Heights Arcade Monsters.

“Once we’ve finished, I think the Citrus Heights community will be generally pleased with all of the new amenities Arcade Monsters will have added and especially how we have honored the history of Sunrise Rollerland for all to continue to enjoy,” he said.