Ready to roll into the rink at Exhibition Park Arena? Every Friday from May 19 to the end of June Rolling Fridays will be hosted at Exhibition Park Arena.
Mona Kim was on the search for a place to skate in Guelph, but since she couldn’t find any indoor rinks in the city she brought the idea to the Guelph Neighbourhood Support Coalition.
Brendan Johnson, executive director of Guelph Neighbourhood Support Coalition contacted the City of Guelph to ask about renting the rink at the arena. It was given the okay after insurance was acquired.
The pilot project goes until the end of June with the possibility of it extending to July. People can drop-in for free on Fridays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. There is capacity for 75 people, said Johnson.
All ages are welcome but children under age 13 will need to be accompanied by an adult. Helmets are required.
Johnson said it’s not exclusive to the community members in the Exhibition Park area; it will also be accessible for people with wheelchairs.
“People can just come in, have some fun, do some laps, and hang out. We’re just gonna see how it goes,” said Johnson.
“I’m a baby roller skater,” said Kim, an Exhibition Park resident.
She has taken roller skating workshops in Stratford and skated in Cambridge. Kim said she skates at GCVI in the summer.
“Guelph doesn’t really have anywhere to do it unless you’re part of the roller city roller derby, but then you’re in a league,” said Johnson.
Kim picked up roller skating from a friend while she was visiting Calgary and has been skating ever since.
When Cam Guthrie hosted a roller skating event Kim attended it.
She has heard from people who want to roller skate dance, are learning to skate, watching roller skate videos and roller skating in their kitchens.
“Roller skating has hit a new wave,” said Kim.
The draw to roller skating? “I think part of it is nostalgia,” she said.
She grew up in the 80s and roller skating was what people did, she said. Whether it be going to the roller rink or throwing a rolling skating birthday party, Kim said.
For those new to roller skating, some people are interested in roller dancing, she said.
She said she hopes the roller skating pilot becomes permanent.
“We’d really like to know if this is of interest to people,” he said. “If it’s popular, we’ll try to make more of it happen,” said Johnson.
“It gets people out and moving and seeing other people. I just thought it would be fun,” said Kim.