02/10/2026
"THE COST OF DIVISION"
Unfortunately, our roller rink will NOT open Friday 2nd October as normal. (WE MUST CONFIRM ALL OUR SATURDAY AND SUNDAY SESSIONS THIS WEEKEND WILL GO AHEAD AS NORMAL)
This is not a decision we have taken lightly.
Every Friday night, we welcome families and young people from across all our communities to come together, have fun and enjoy our roller disco in a safe, shared environment.
Tonight, however, we have experienced a significant wave of cancellations from families who simply do not feel comfortable going out because of the current uncertainty and tensions within our local communities.
That has left us with no option but to close for the evening.
And that is why we feel we have to say the following, please share this message so our politicians hear the call.
"
Dear Stormont,
Our society needs stable political leadership.
Families, businesses, charities and community organisations are already navigating enormous financial pressures. At a time when people need accessible local services and safe community spaces more than ever, organisations across the third sector are facing extraordinary challenges.
Our own charity-run social enterprise is approximately 90% self-sustaining. We work incredibly hard to generate the income required to keep our doors open while providing services and activities for people from all backgrounds in a safe, welcoming and shared environment.
But organisations like ours cannot operate in isolation from what is happening around us.
Week after week, we see established voluntary, charitable and community organisations struggling to survive or closing their doors altogether. The contribution these organisations make to communities across Northern Ireland should never be underestimated.
Tonight, the wider uncertainty within our community has reached our doors too.
A Friday night that should have been filled with music, families, laughter and roller skating will instead see our rink sitting empty.
Whatever people's political views, communities need stability, leadership and confidence.
Division has a cost.
Tonight, for us, that cost is a closed roller rink, lost income and families missing out on something that should simply have been a safe and enjoyable Friday night together.
We look forward to welcome everyone back through our doors tomorrow (Sat 3rd).
Thank you, as always, for supporting us and for supporting community organisations like ours. ❤️
PLEASE SHARE THIS MESSAGE, HOPEFULLY POLITICIANS WILL SEE IT.
