• Stouffville is partnering with SUSO Skate Co. to host 12 free roller skating nights at the Memorial Park Multi-Use Trail this summer.
  • Youth Roller Skate Nights will take place every Thursday from June 5 to August 21 and feature three timed skating sessions per evening.
  • The program is aimed at promoting youth engagement, active living, and reducing screen time in a fun and social environment.
  • Admission and skate rentals are free, with a live DJ and inclusive options for participants of varying abilities.
  • The initiative is supported by the Town’s new Youth Advisory Working Group and funded through the Whitchurch-Stouffville Legacy Fund.
  • It also marks an effort from the Town to further activate the trail during non-winter months.

 

For residents looking to make the most of their Thursday nights this summer, the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville is partnering with SUSO Skate Co. to bring free roller skating events to Memorial Park.

Twelve Youth Roller Skate Nights are scheduled to run weekly from June 5 to August 21. Backed by the Town’s new Youth Advisory Working Group and funded through the Whitchurch-Stouffville Legacy Fund, the program aims to transform the Multi-Use Trail into a lively, after-hours community hub.

Admission and skate rentals will be free for all participants, and a DJ will be on-site to help set the tone. Each evening will feature three 45-minute skating blocks, beginning with an all-ages session from 7 to 7:45 p.m., followed by two sessions for youth in Grades 7 to 12 from 8 to 8:45 p.m. and 9 to 9:45 p.m.

“The project promotes social inclusion, active living, and community engagement, encouraging youth to connect, be active, and reduce screen time in a welcoming outdoor environment,” the Town’s website explains. “Inclusive options for individuals with varying abilities will also be available.”

Registration is now open online for the four Thursday events in June. SUSO encourages participants to register and complete the required waiver in advance to help ensure a smooth check-in on event nights. Skates will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, and those bringing their own skates are welcome to attend without registering or submitting a waiver.

SUSO Skate Co. specializes in hosting roller skating events in repurposed venues across the GTA. Known for activating underutilized urban spaces, the Toronto-based group supplies roller skates, music, and on-site support. To date, it has welcomed more than 50,000 skaters to its pop-up rinks.

The new partnership also aligns with the Town’s ongoing effort to further activate Memorial Park’s trail in the summer months. It is typically open for walking and rollerblading when not frozen for winter skating.

“We’re excited to see the Memorial Park Trail become a vibrant, all-season space that encourages both leisure and active living,” Rob Braid, Stouffville’s Commissioner of Community Services, said in comments to Bullet Point News. “This initiative is a great example of how youth-driven ideas can enhance our public spaces.”

Bullet Point News also spoke with SUSO Co-Owner Henry O’Brien, who has spent the past year working with the Town to shape the concept. He said roller skating has seen a notable comeback since the COVID-19 pandemic, offering a low-impact, accessible activity that resonates with both newcomers and seasoned skaters.

“Stouffville said they  wanted to increase the programming at the trail, and we’ve been in contact with them for quite a few months now,” O’Brien explained. “Whether people are new skaters or old skaters, it’s ideal for a fun, nostalgic evening out with the whole family.”

While SUSO will operate more permanent summer pop-ups at Oshawa Centre and The Bentway in Toronto, the Stouffville events will be served by the company’s mobile van. It will be SUSO’s first recurring mobile program, with an estimated capacity of about 45 skaters per session, depending on available skate sizes.

“Our number one goal is to get young kids and youth off their digital devices and interacting with their friends and family in real life,” O’Brien added. “We just want them to get outside and have some fun.”

This article has been updated to reflect a correction from SUSO: skate rentals are not reserved through online registration and will instead be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

Cover image taken by Zeyad Abouzeid and used with permission from SUSO Skate Co.