A new club has rolled into Bradford and is looking for new members.
Pop-up roller skating sessions are now being offered at the Simcoe Road community centre every Friday night, organized by Bradford resident Tracey Stanway.
Stanway who turns 50 this year, was an avid roller skater when she was a teen, living on the west coast. She loved heading to the roller rink with friends on weekends while gliding in the under disco lights to upbeat music.
"I have always loved it," she said.
She hasn't thought about roller skating for years until this past summer after seeing many videos of people roller skating on social media.
"There is a revival coming back with COVID because it's something you can do on your own or safely in a group," explained Stanway.
Throughout the pandemic, Stanway was looking for an outlet to relieve stress after working "crazy hours" at her COVID data entry job.
Stanway began researching roller skating clubs and rinks but was disappointed to see none close by. She joined some Roller Skating Facebook groups and connected with fellow skaters in the area who would meet up at area parking lots to roller skate.
She purchased a brand new pair of skates online and fell in love with the activity all over again, sharing her excitement with friends and family on social media.
"That is what I was needing. I was needing community," she said.
In August 2021, she started contacting recreational facilities and schools in York Region and Simcoe County to inquire if anyone would be able to accommodate a weekly roller skating group.
"Where could we go to safely skate indoors?" she thought.
As luck would have it, the only available option was in Bradford at the old arena on Simcoe Road. She signed up for a 16-week permit to host the club. The sessions were to start in early January, but with the most recent COVID lockdown, they were only able to start up last week.
The Bradford Roller Skating group on Facebook has grown tremendously over the past week and is up to more than 200 members. The group has attracted skaters from all over the region.
"Every time I open my email, I am brought to tears," she said about all the encouraging feedback she has received.
Skaters can purchase a membership season pass which gives them access to every skate night from now until June or can drop in as space allows. All skaters must pre-register in advance by email.
Stanway stresses the sessions currently do not offer lessons or skate rentals and is more of a leisure-type skate program.
Because she has had such an overwhelming response to the Facebook group, Stanway is already starting to plan ahead for programming into 2023.
The one thing Stanway loves most about roller skating is that it's inclusive, noting there are many in their 50s, 60s, and 70s still embracing the nostalgic activity. Anyone with a pair of rollers skates or roller blades can join the Bradford group. She says there are all types of skaters of all abilities and ages in the group.
"It's a full mindset, making your body move while listening to music. It is a full experience," she said.
There are volunteers who are part of the club willing to help new skaters make sure their wheels spin freely and are adjusted correctly.
"Your skate set up can be different depending on activity," noted Stanway. "A lot of people buy skates out of the box and do not realize there are adjustments that need to be made."
Stanway is one of the volunteers who help out on Fridays. She says everyone who attends and helps is there on a volunteer basis, and the money charged for the skate is just to cover the costs of the arena rental.
To learn more about the local skate group, visit the Bradford and Area Skate Crew Facebook page here. To pre-register for a skate or purchase a season pass, email Stanway directly at [email protected].
