Brisbane skating rink to close as gym franchise takes on building lease

Brisbane is losing its last major skating rink, the Stafford Skate Centre, with the business to close in September when its site lease ends.

The venue, which has operated for almost 50 years, is a popular location for skate sport attracting a new demographic over roller derby enthusiasts over recent years.

However, having been acquired by new owners, it will be repurposed as a World Gym franchise.

see one of the last skating rinks in southeast Queensland disappear.

Stafford Skate Centre owner Rob Carter told Brisbane radio station 4BC that the new owner had “found a tenant that can afford to pay more rent”.

“It’s just simply a business decision.”

Carter, who, as of next month, will have operated the facility for 40 years said he would be entering retirement a few years earlier than expected after an agreement was finalised last week to end his lease in September when World Gym will roll in.

Carter said he is disappointed that one of the last skating rinks in south east Queensland will disappear, telling Brisbane’s The Courier-Mail “we’ve had kids grow up here.

“I’ve had people say to me it’s a church without a religion, a home away from home.”

He had no ill feelings towards the site’s new owner or World Gym.

Images of the Stafford Skate Centre credit: Stafford Skate Centre/Facebook.