THE legendary Navada roller skating rink is inspiring the next generation to get their skates on.

Young people showed off their fancy moves at the new Nevada Roller Rink this week — while showcasing how they think the sport will look in the future.

The roller rink, inspired by the similarly named, but differently spelled, Navada Roller Rink, is taking skating to the next level — by teaching youngsters to skate while finding out about the science behind the sport.

Year six pupils at Our Lady of Lourdes School in Farnworth took part in the three-day project which included designing their own rocket-powered roller skates.

Teacher Neil West said: “The children spent half-a-day learning how to be artistic roller skaters and half-a-day with our technician and design engineer building the ultimate roller skate.

They used different equipment, including 3D printers and programmed a computer chip.

In the project they have to learn all manner of engineering and science knowledge while developing their sense of balance and building self-confidence.”

All the children received a certificate after showing they could move on a pair of skates. Lowry Haslingden, aged 10, said: “I loved designing and making my own new and improved roller skates.”

Ella Greenwood, aged 10, said: “I loved using all the tools and the 3D Printing.

Keen rollerskater Katie Bradley, aged 10, said: “It was really good designing our skates. We had an idea of what we wanted it to look like and we had to put together and it looked like we wanted it to.”

Teacher Samantha Clayton added: “The children have really loved it.”

FACTFILE — THE NAVADA SKATING RINK 

  • The Navada skating rink was opened in November, 1955, by Nat Lofthouse.
  • Roller skating was its main use, but it was also a dance hall.
  • Hundreds of people crowded into the family skating sessions on Sunday afternoons and some nights during the week.
  • Firms used to bring coach parties to the Wurlitzer and disco nights.
  • For a time Phil Foster, having played at the Palais for many years, took his dance band to the Navada to provide ballroom dancing.
  • The rink, a family owned business, was destroyed by fire in 1985.
  • People still talk about the special memories they have of the place.