ONTARIO — Roller skates, skateboards and the energy of a long-missed pastime are set to fill the Ontario Center once again this summer.

Skate Ohio plans to open a combined roller skating rink and skateboarding facility inside the Ontario Center, with a public opening in early July.

“We’re terrified because we want to do this right, but we’re super excited,” B.J. Price, president of Skate Ohio, said during the News Man Weekly Podcast on May 11.

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“I know the community has been clamoring for it,” he added.

The idea developed through months of conversations with the Ontario Center operations manager, Crystal Phelps. Skate Ohio previously hosted winter skateboarding sessions at the mall after working with the center on different events.

“Honestly, it was Crystal,” Price said. “She chased us down and sought us out stating she wanted us to do something here.”

From winter sessions to a permanent home

Adam McElroy, vice president of Skate Ohio, said 104 skaters attended the group’s winter sessions despite only operating four hours each week.

“It just tells you what is needed or wanted in the area,” McElroy said.

The new location sits next to Bath & Body Works and offers about twice the space Skate Ohio previously used. Price said the operating area measures roughly 70 feet wide and 108 feet deep.

The location will include an area for birthday parties. Price said they already have more than 100 pairs of roller skates in different sizes and a large stereo system installed inside the space.

When Skate Ohio’s lease ended in April, Phelps encouraged the group to stay. Price said they initially hesitated when conversations shifted toward operating a roller skating rink.

“They talked to us in the past about potentially running a roller skating rink and we were just kind of like it’s not really us,” Price said. “But one day we got to see the roller skates and Adam and I were just like, I think we can do this.”

Residents will be able to enjoy roller skating, roller hockey and skateboarding at the facility.

Price said many community members reached out asking to bring back roller hockey.

“That’s something I used to do when I was young back when they had it at Snow Trails,” he added. “It would be awesome to bring it back to the area.”

Price said they also plan to add mirror balls and recreate the atmosphere many residents remember from the Coliseum.

Shifting into roller skating has been an interesting way for Skate Ohio to reach a different demographic, Price said.

“I love that more people and generations who remember the Coliseum will be able to come in and enjoy the space as well,” he said. “We’re going to try and accommodate quad skaters, rollerbladers, all those things and bring that Coliseum feel back as well.

“Let’s do the chicken dance, limbo, couples skating, all those things.”

Price said bringing different generations together also gives Skate Ohio an opportunity to share its mission of bettering the community through skateboarding.

Building a training space for the community

Price said he first started Skate Ohio with a prayer in his basement, promising he would walk through any door God opened for him.

“He just kept opening doors and I was like, ‘OK, I’m going to keep being obedient and walking through these and saying yes to things I may be a little more uncomfortable with, but I feel like I’m being led to do these things’,” Price said.

McElroy said roller skating falls outside Skate Ohio’s normal focus, but community members have asked about it since the organization began.

“We’ve been asked since we started, ‘when’s roller skating?’ or ‘can we bring roller skates?’” McElroy said. “Now you can.”

The plan is to move modular ramps into storage on weekends so the facility can transition into a roller skating rink.

“Right now, tentatively, during the week we’re looking to have it set up for skateboarding and we can sell memberships. They’ll be able to come in and skate,” Price said. “On Friday we’ll move the ramps into the storage area and set it up for roller skating.

“You’ll be able to rent it for birthday parties and more.”

Price credited McElroy with helping shape the training facility concept. Skate Ohio wants to use smaller, modular ramps helping younger skaters progress at a comfortable pace.

“When we did the winter sessions we got to see the kids who are learning that need this type of ramp,” Price said. “If we can set them some things up so there is more of a mellow progression, I think it will build confidence in newer skaters to be able to go onto something more complicated.”

He said community reaction has remained overwhelmingly positive since Skate Ohio announced the roller rink plans.

“I think everybody is excited for this to be here and I think this space is bigger than people anticipate,” Price said. “It has been overwhelmingly positive so far from what I’ve seen.

“It will be really nice to see all the different generations together in one space.”

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