Newtown’s Rollerway has skated its way into the record books.
The company in Lambert Street is one of Australia’s longest operating skate centres. First opened in 1975, it has proven to be one of the most successful operations, used by tens of thousands of people every year. Some members of the present management have been either skating or playing at, or operating the centre since 1976.
Owner Raul Aparicio is proud of his company’s track record as a market leader.
“When we look at the records we have set we are very proud and this is a mighty achievement for Geelong as well,” Raul says.
“We had around 5000 kids through the centre just in the last school holiday period so that gives you an idea of how popular we are in the family entertainment sector.”
Raul says his centre specialises in providing the best experience in terms of children’s birthday parties specifically, and family entertainment, generally.
“From Friday to Sunday we could entertain 500 people as part of the many parties or groups that have pre-booked, or the many families and casual skaters that just turn up to have a go. And then from Sunday to Friday we typically have another 500 attendances from people who play in one of the 40 teams that play in our seven leagues, or train in the many weekly practices,” Raul says.
“And we are probably the biggest developers of junior skating and roller hockey in Australia and New Zealand. We really do have more hockey than you can poke a stick at.
“We have been here for a long time but we are often industry leaders in trying new ideas, developing new skating programs, introducing new technology and we offer the best value skating goods in Australia.”
