Bayswater Roller City to close after 44 years

It was the place to be if you were a teen in the 80s, but Bayswater Roller City is shutting after almost half a century. SEE THE PHOTOS

Roller City Bayswater is closing after 44 years. Former owner, June Gladman, who owned the rink for 30 years and new owner, Annette Ducommun in the skates booth in 2017. Picture: Sarah Matray

A beloved Bayswater rollerskating rink is set to close after 44 years, leaving the community devastated.

Hundreds of people have shared their memories of Bayswater Roller City after the owner took to Facebook to announce the rink would be closing on June 30.

“We would like to sincerely thank all our valued customers and staff who have supported us and have been a big part of our lives for almost 10 years,” the post said.

“Sadly after 44 years of operation Bayswater Roller City has to close its doors on 30th June.

“We would love to see you at the rink before the end of an era for Roller City.”

The rink offers roller blading and roller skating, and runs a wide range of classes including learn to skate and in-line hockey.

Owner Annette Ducommun said she was really devastated for members of the Bayswater Artistic Roller Skating Club and Inline Hockey Club, which are both based at the rink.

“It is really devastating for our sporting community,” she said.

“There are not many venues for them to go, the sports are almost disappearing because there is nowhere for them to train.”

Many children who have trained with the clubs have gone on to compete at world championships.

The rink also caters for private functions, school excursions, Christmas parties and work functions.

The closure of Roller City will leave Caribbean Rollerama in Scoresby as Knox’s only rollerskating venue.

It will be another part of Knox’s history lost, following the closure Caribbean Gardens & Market.

Myer at Westfield Knox is also set to close on July 25 after 44 years.

Knox Leader previously reported June Gladman and her ex-husband moved from Queensland to open Roller City in Bayswater “just after Anzac Day” in 1977 with the help of real estate agent Bob Appleby.

The rink quickly became popular and Ms Gladman recalled welcoming hundreds of teenagers on weekends during its glory days in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

“When it first opened, there were no other skating rinks in Melbourne except for a small one in Mordialloc,” she said.

“We would get 400 teenagers on a Friday night, it was so big, they were lined up at the gate waiting to get in.

Former owner June Gladman at Roller City Bayswater. Picture: Sarah Matray

Roller City was also a great meeting point for young people, and Ms Gladman said she knew plenty of staff members and skaters who met at the centre and later got married.

The centre brought out international skating champions for coaching and featured on programs such as Hey Hey It’s Saturday, Shirl’s Neighbourhood and The Early Bird Show.

Ms Gladman sold the business to Annette Ducommun in 2011 and said she was “very pleased” to see the venue reach its 40th birthday in 2017.

The rink in the early days.

Hundreds of people have commented on the Roller City Facebook post sharing their memories of the rink.

“Had it not been for this wonderful place my life wouldn’t be what it is,” Lucinda Scott said.

“I met my now husband Steven Scott back in Oct 1981.

“We have been together ever since I was 16 years old then.

“Nearly 40 years.”

Erica Baddeley said it was “such sad news”.

“I remember having a school excursion there in about 1984. We caught the train from FTG, walked from Bayswater station to Roller City. I also remember going to see a band there in about 1991. It was a Christian Rock Band called Guns of Fire. Had many skating sessions there while growing up.”

The rink has been popular for more than 40 years.

Robert Hatfield said he had lost count of all the in-line hockey games he refereed there.

“An institution, a Bayswater landmark is gone,” he said.

Tyson Clugg said he had spent many afternoons and evenings as a “rink rat”.

“Many seasons of in-line hockey playing for the Dandenong Cougars. And an amazing 40th birthday party with family and friends. Heart. Broken.”

Glynis Nott said: “My teenage years were spent here in the 80s, Friday nights, Saturday afternoons, sometimes Saturday nights too, and the odd Sunday sesh. So many memories, and lifelong friends made here.”