Competitions and prizes at official opening of skating rink

Press, 7 June 1982, Page 8

Competitions and prizes at official opening of skating rink

Canterbury roller skating fans can now enjoy one of the fastest indoor rinks in-the country.

The Rollerland Skating Rink, at 128 Wainoni Road, opened its doors five weeks ago and has been virtually inundated by skaters ever since.

Officially, the rink will be opened this week with plenty of competitions and prizes to celebrate the occasion. Skating bags and skates are just some of the major prizes which will be given out during the week.

Learn to skate sessions are held five times a week, the advanced medal test on Saturday (which involves freestyle and figure skating), and

advanced speed trailing on Sunday. j Owned and operated by Paul and Lyn Rushtton. the rink is open seven ilays a week and caters ■ far the novice through to (fie advanced competition staters. The unique featured is the one-piece plastic floor. This was specially designed and engineered. Referred to as at shrinkage compensator floor,' it is basically a foundation of special concrete whicfi when' set. expands instead of shrinking. Because the imported plastic coating is in one piece, it enables faster, smoother skating. | The design means skaters are less likely to slip lout on the corners or lose precious seconds in speed skaulng. j In conjunction wi (Ji the public address systeni, coloured lights have been installed to help cre.ate a “warmer" atmosphere.. Children learning to'skate have not been forgotten. A smaller rink off the ' main skating area has beop set aside for toddlers to tee. Parents are encouraged to come along and their

children. and are not charged. But as a general rule, other spectators are not allowed. Paul and Lyn are both adamant on this rule as they feel spectators will only dis-

tract skaters. The hire skates, which cost 50 cents each time, are all boot skates with speed wheels. There also is a pro shop where top-line skates can be bought. These start at about $l3O with the best of the range costing $5OO. They also stock all the necessary bearings and wheels to repair skates. Instead of buying new skates, the plates underneath the skating boot can simply be replaced and Rollerlanii undertake to replace these free for all skates bought from them. The cost of the tutoring sessions varies but most are about $1.50. Concession tickets are also available which cover the cost of admission. An evening concession ticket for five admissions costs $lO and the afternoon ticket for seven admissions costs $10.50.