This month, a significant piece of Olympic history will return to North Lake Tahoe. It’s not the full-sized Blyth Arena, which collapsed in 1983, but rather the original architect’s model of the iconic structure. After years of being stored at the Oakland Museum of California, the model has been restored and is set to be displayed at the SNOW Sports Museum in Tahoe City. The project has been made possible by funding from TOT-TBID Dollars at Work, a program designed to support community vitality in North Lake Tahoe.
The 1960 Winter Olympics, held at Squaw Valley (now Palisades Tahoe), marked a pivotal moment in California’s history. They were innovative Games in many respects. IBM introduced supercomputers for electronic timing and real-time results, while Walt Disney redefined the Olympic opening ceremonies with his pageantry. But perhaps one of the most remarkable contributions came from a young architect named Russel Francis Stechschulte, whose design for the Blyth Arena helped shape California’s modern design and engineering legacy.
A Symbol of California’s Modern Design Movement
Stechschulte, then a rising star at the San Francisco architectural firm Corlett & Spackman, had a bold vision for the Blyth Arena. Unlike previous Olympic venues, which often featured heavy, domed structures, he designed a building that was light and harmonious, blending seamlessly with the natural environment. His goal was to create a space that felt both expansive and intimate, where every seat would offer a clear view of the ice.
The result was a striking, modern A-frame roof, which stretched gracefully across the arena and reflected the snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada. The building was open on one side, facing the mountains, allowing visitors to feel connected to the landscape. “It was meant to embody the spirit of the Games,” Stechschulte said. “Modern, functional, and perfectly integrated with the dramatic beauty of the Sierra.”
The arena, which could hold over 7,000 spectators, faced significant logistical challenges due to its remote location and harsh weather. But Stechschulte and his team used innovative materials such as reinforced concrete to withstand the region’s extreme conditions. The ice rink itself was a technical marvel, with a refrigeration system that kept the surface smooth despite fluctuating temperatures.
The Collapse of the Blyth Arena
Unfortunately, Blyth Arena’s life was cut short. In 1983, after two decades of use, the arena collapsed under the weight of a heavy snowstorm. The roof, which had been designed to rely on heat from the ice-chilling system to melt snow, was not insulated properly after energy conservation measures were introduced in the early 1980s. As a result, snow piled up on the roof and the structure couldn’t withstand the weight.
The collapse of Blyth Arena marked the end of an era for Squaw Valley and the loss of one of the most innovative Olympic venues ever built. Though the arena no longer exists, its design remains an important chapter in the history of Olympic architecture, a testament to how architecture can shape our experiences, even for a brief moment in time.
Rediscovery of the Architect’s Model
In the spring of 2024, the SNOW Sports Museum, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving the history of winter sports and the 1960 Olympics, made an exciting discovery. While searching for more 1960 Olympic artifacts, museum advisors Stan and Maryann Batiste found the original architect’s model of Blyth Arena in deep storage at the Oakland Museum of California (OMCA). Upon realizing the historical significance of the model, the SNOW Sports Museum reached out to OMCA to discuss its condition and potential for restoration.
“We contacted the collections team at OMCA, and they were very receptive to the idea of refurbishing the model and sharing it with the public,” said Stan. “We were thrilled to bring it back to Tahoe to tell another remarkable story of the 1960 Winter Olympics and the people who made it possible.”
Community Efforts to Restore the Model
While the model was in relatively good shape, it required extensive repairs to be displayed properly. Meredith Patute, a conservator at OMCA, was brought in to oversee the restoration process. Initially, the cost estimates for restoring the model were found to be insufficient and more funding was needed. Thankfully, the work was supported by the TOT-TBID Dollars at Work program, which reinvests funds from local businesses to enhance community vitality and environmental sustainability in North Lake Tahoe.
On Jan. 17, the restored model was transported from the Oakland museum to the SNOW Sports Museum’s archive at the Auburn Ski Club Training Center near Boreal. Ron Parson, CEO of Granlibakken and SNOW Sports Museum Board member, along with Bill Clark, the museum’s president, coordinated the safe delivery of the model. In February, a custom table will be built to house the model, preparing it for its grand unveiling in March at the interim SNOW Sports Museum at the Boatworks Mall in Tahoe City.
The return of the Blyth Arena architect’s model to North Lake Tahoe represents a milestone moment in preserving the legacy of the 1960 Winter Olympics. It is a tribute to the innovative spirit that shaped the Games and a reminder of how architecture and design can influence our sense of place, even decades after the structures have disappeared.
For visitors to the SNOW Sports Museum, the model will offer a rare and tangible link to a moment in history when California set the standard for modern Olympic architecture. It is an opportunity to reconnect with the past and celebrate the ingenuity of those who made the 1960 Winter Olympics a truly groundbreaking event.
Written by: Scott Keith – Published in: Moonshine Ink https://www.moonshineink.com/tahoe-news/lost-artifact-of-1960-olympics-returns-to-tahoe/
