Skateland Gympie
When talking about rollerskating rinks in Queensland, I have to start in my hometown of Gympie. The rural city roughly 2 hours north of Brisbane claims a well-loved, community focused rollerskating rink that is relatively new in the Australian skating scene.
The history of rollerskating in Gympie
One of my first jobs was at Skateland Gympie and I’ve been a regular for years, but I last visited the rink in December 2022. I spoke to rink regular, Shayne Hill, who also worked in a rollerskating rink when he was a teenager.
A former competitive quad speed skater, Shayne recalled competing at Gympie’s first rollerskating rink.
Skateland Gympie – The original
‘It was before the internet. Indoor skating was where we went to hang out with our friends. It was such a social activity.’
Also called Skateland, the rink operated during the 80s at a time when it seemed there was a rink in every suburb.
As Rollerblades became popular and the disco skating craze of the 80s faded, Skateland was one of many rinks to close.
The building became a clothing factory. On a visit to the site in 2021, Shayne took photos of it that show the original floor is still visible (including the old line markings). The floor and lines are a surprising relic of the fun memories many people made there.
Gympie’s skating revival
Darren and Lena Nyberg revived rollerskating in Gympie 25 years after the closure of the old Skateland rink when they opened Skatezone in the suburb of Glanmire.
Skatezone opened in 2017, complete with disco lights, arcade games and a new quad roller hockey club full of passionate members. When it first opened, I remember lining up behind bouncing kids excited to try skating for the first time, and adults (like Shayne) looking to re-live the skating days of their youth.
My obsession with rollerskating started there as I was tying up the orange laces of a pair of black hire skates.
After Skatezone closed just over a year later, much of the setup, equipment, and loyal fanbase simply moved to the other side of town where Peter Flenady and Charlotte Moore built Gympie’s rollerskating rink as it exists today. The current Skateland in the suburb of Two Mile opened in late 2018.
The skating floor is 33 metres long by 17 metres wide and made of concrete, sealed with a skating specific paint. As it wasn’t purpose-built for a skating rink originally, there are a few cracks and imperfections in the blue floor, but the staff are quick to patch these so they aren’t very noticeable.
The surface is marked simply with the red lines needed for quad roller hockey games.
A strong community focus
I interviewed the current owner of Skateland in 2022. Dee Kernke bought the rink in September 2020. Having always been into health and fitness, she was quick to add Zumba classes to the venue’s schedule and has brought a strong community focus to the rink.
When asked if she would be willing to host other roller sports, Dee said she would love to.
‘I have the facility, just need the person to help organise it because I don’t have skills in that. … But I’d be happy to host it.’
During our interview, Dee mentioned there are ideas in the pipeline to make the rink a multisport venue. The large floor is untapped potential when there aren’t skating sessions on, so she hopes to better utilise the space to provide other forms of indoor entertainment to the Gympie community.
But Dee was quick to assure me that skating will always be Skateland’s focus.
‘It is primarily a skating rink. It will always be skating.’
One thing that struck me in our interview is how aware Dee is of her regular skaters and how willing she is, within reason, to listen to their advice and requests. If someone suggests an event or upgrade for the venue, she is happy to consider it.
‘Definitely all for community. That’s what I’m trying to build. A safe, fun place for the whole family to come.’
And this is a key feature of the Gympie rink. With its relatively rural setting it always has a friendly, welcoming atmosphere without the sometimes-overwhelming busyness of more city based rinks.
Skateland Gympie now
The disco lights and bright colours associated with the 80s disco craze are preserved at Skateland, which hosts disco skate sessions every Friday and Saturday night.
Aside from regular skating sessions, the rink also hosts the local quad roller hockey club, quad speed skating workshops, learn to skate classes, skate fit sessions, regular Zumba classes (off skates) and indoor play centre days for kids.
The floor guards and session host run games to suit the crowd each session. Shorter sessions often have very few to no games depending on the crowd. These sessions are great for people who just want to focus on developing their skating skills.
Perfect for new skaters
Skateland is the perfect rink to visit if you like quieter, more spaced-out sessions, that still maintain a fun atmosphere.
The busiest sessions at the Gympie rink according to Dee (and in my own experience) are the Friday and Saturday night sessions. The quietest session is on a Wednesday morning.
‘Some people want a quieter session. I get learners come in all the time and we try to help them out. We cater to everybody.’
The music played at Skateland is a mix of recent pop songs and remixed classics, put together by local DJ and speed skater, Peter Knowles. Peter can be seen in the DJ booth, leading the games and speed skates throughout the night sessions.
As with many rinks, Skateland hosts the occasional themed event to shake up the general sessions and keep skating exciting. These sessions include events like an 80s themed disco skate night, and of course, events for all the big holidays.
Other details
Skateland isn’t air-conditioned, but does have large fans overhead to keep it cool in summer.
Due to limited storage space, the rink has a very basic stock of assorted skate gear for sale, but Dee is happy to order in specific items when requested.
The canteen offers a large variety of food and drink options, from the basic hot chips and slushies to healthier meals and coffee.
Seating is limited so it can get crowded during busy sessions, but with the pumping music most people are out on the skating floor anyway.
Gympie’s rollerskating rink caters to people of all ages and with it’s strong community focus it provides a welcoming environment for skaters at all levels.
Now I may be biased because it’s my hometown rink, but Skateland Gympie may be the best place to skate in Queensland. Certainly, the best place to rollerskate in the Gympie region.
Visit Skateland Gympie at Shed 2/1 Pinewood Ave, Gympie, QLD 4570 to see for yourself. Updated opening hours can be found on the Skateland Gympie Facebook page.
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