For many in Victoria, it’s a trip down memory lane – lacing up a pair of skates and gliding to the beat under a disco ball, just like they did decades ago in community rinks across the region.
That’s the draw of Friday Night Skates, a roller skating series running on alternating Friday nights this summer at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre (SOFMC).
The drop-in sessions offer a casual, music-filled atmosphere where skaters of all ages can relive a bygone pastime – or experience it for the first time.
“You’d be amazed how many people come in and say, ‘God, I used to do this as a kid 35 years ago in Oak Bay or Esquimalt,’” said organizer Martin Newham. “It’s just a regular drop-in session. You rent skates from me, hop on the floor, and away you go.”
With two nights already in the books in June, the remaining sessions run from 7-9 p.m. on July 11, 18, 25 and Aug. 1.
Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for youth (13-17), and $7 for children aged 5-12. Skate rentals are available for $8, and there’s no need to register in advance – just show up and roll.
Newham has been a fixture in Victoria’s roller skating scene for years, having co-founded Roller Skate Victoria in 2018. From the start, he sensed he wasn’t alone in missing the simple joy of skating.
“I used to always see people roller skating down Dallas Road and around the airport trail, and it really escalated during COVID,” he said. “I knew there was interest – it wasn’t just me – so I figured we may as well try to bring some nostalgia back into the city.”
When it came time to find a venue, the SOFMC was at the top of his list.
“The floor surface is so big, and the location is central – it really was the top spot I had on my radar for this kind of event,” Newham said. “The city got back to me very quickly when I approached them in February, which really helped in my planning.”
Attendance varies depending on the weather – sunny nights tend to draw fewer skaters – but the arena can comfortably hold up to 100 people without feeling crowded. Occasional themed events – like a recent sparkles night – are planned to make sure that the sparks of the sport can continue to shine.
While Friday Night Skates are easygoing and inclusive, they’re part of a larger and fast-growing four-wheeled culture in Victoria. From the Eves of Destruction roller derby team to jam skating, park skating, and trail cruising along Dallas Road, the city’s skating scene is rolling strong.
“There’s a whole bunch of people that love to roller dance,” Newham said. “There’s jam skating, park skating, trail skating – it’s all happening here.”
