Skatetown organisers plan reunion
Reminisce or cut a shape on the rink to mark the heyday of skating
Anybody who was anybody in Levin back in the day will remember Skatetown. The popular youth-focused rollerskating centre was the place to be of a weekend evening, and many locals missed it when it closed its doors in the mid 1990s.
Now though, the original Skatetown organisers are offering the chance to reminisce about the good old days, as well as cut a few shapes on the rink, at a special reunion event.
The reunion will be a collaboration with Centre Skate — a weekly skating fixture open to all, that runs at Levin Event Centre on Friday nights.
Mike MacGregor ran Skatetown with his late wife Patricia and a host of volunteers, and the couple were widely considered some of the most community-focused people in town.
Now, in his retirement, Mike is still very active with causes that benefit Horowhenua’s young people.
“It’s all about the tamariki,” Mike said.
“People are so quick to moan and complain about the youth, but they should be getting out there and helping them.
“It’s about giving the young ones in the area somewhere to go.”
Mike still drives the same van that used to transport young people to and from Skatetown’s premises to make sure they arrived home safely.
Lovingly cared for, it is still emblazoned on the side with the Skatetown logo — a piece of artwork that will be familiar to many Levin people, depicting a speeding rollerskate with classic retro font below, designed by the late Godfrey Ramsbottom.
Mike said the reunion, to be held on Friday, August 17 from 6pm to 10pm, would feature a display of photos from the Skatetown heyday, as well as spot prizes, games and a chance to catch up with people.
Centre Skate organiser Michael Grant, who is Mike’s nephew, said everybody, of any age, is welcome to come and have a skate, with roller or blade options to choose from.
The following day, Saturday, August 18, there will be an unveiling of a headstone for Mike’s wife Patricia MacGregor at The Avenue Cemetery in Levin, at 11.30am. Mike is extending an invitation for anybody who knew Patricia, or wants to pay their respects to attend.
■ “Skatetown At Centre Skate” Friday, August 17, 6pm to 10pm, Levin Events Centre. Admission $4, skate hire $2. All welcome.