Families in the High Country are lacing up their skates for a rip around the arena once a week this spring. The Oilfields Regional Arena in Black Diamond opened its doors to another season of free recreational roller skating which began April 20 and will continue until June 29 every Thursday at 5:15 p.m. for an hour. Joanne Mulder has been bringing her twins Heidi and Hayden to recreation roller skating in Black Diamond each spring since she moved to Turner Valley three years ago. “My kids love to go,” she said. “We sometimes get the whole crew from our neighbourhood. “Those of us who don’t roller skate sit and visit. For us, it’s just another excuse for everybody to get together.” When Mulder initially learned the arena offered free roller skating, she thought it was a fantastic idea. “With what the community offers around here for the kids to do, I think it’s an awesome activity,” she said. “It keeps the kids off the streets and out of trouble.” Mulder said the experience not only improved her daughter’s ice-skating abilities, it gives her family something to do Thursdays after school. “(Heidi) loves it when her friends are all there,” she said. “They will play tag and different games with each other. The girls usually dance to the music.” Les Quinton, parks and recreation manager, said the event was popular in its first years, but the numbers have slowly dwindled. Attendance reached its highest in the event’s second year in 2003 with 119 skaters over about 10 weeks while last year the arena saw only 32 roller skaters, he said. With the recent closure of Calgary’s 1960s-era roller rink Lloyd’s Rollersports Centre, Quinton hopes to see the numbers climb again. “We really wanted to make sure we keep it going,” he said. “Lloyd’s is closed this year so the people who want to roller skate have no place to go anymore.” Quinton said the Town of Black Diamond has spread the word to schools, the Diamond Valley Boys and Girls Club and posted information on its website and community sign. The idea of having free roller skating in the arena was that of Quinton’s almost 20 years ago. “I started it because I used to roller skate,” he said. “I used to bring my own kids out and roller skate. It’s a time to come out, listen to music and skate around a bit.” The event also adds more variety to the types of recreation the Town of Black Diamond offers its residents and visitors, said Quinton. “The whole idea to me with recreation is when we get people to do something and get them more active and more involved in the community they tend to do more things,” he said. “Having different things to do makes life more enjoyable. It’s keeps people active. “We turn the music on and turn about half the lights on and let people go for a skate.” The free event is sponsored by Pharmasave. Participants are required to bring their own skates and helmet.
