Creepy liminal space in notorious Toronto dead mall to be transformed into roller rink

SUSO Skate Co., the Canadian roller skating company known for turning unconventional spaces into pop-up rinks, is setting up a new indoor skating experience at Woodbine Mall and its iconic Fantasy Fair in Toronto.

It seems like the dead Toronto mall may just have another reason to lace up.

The rink will be located on the mall's lower level, directly across from CinéStarz Deluxe and adjacent to Fantasy Fair, and is expected to bring thousands of skaters under one roof.

The attraction is an extension of SUSO's existing business model: taking interesting spaces that aren't used to their full potential and turning them into roller skating rinks where people can gather and have a good time.

For co-founder Henry O'Brien, Woodbine Mall was an especially appealing choice. "Woodbine Mall has always been a place with a strong sense of identity," O'Brien says.

He alludes to the nostalgia the mall and its history evoke among generations of Toronto residents, though nowadays it's often known for its liminal, Backrooms-esque spaces. The company hopes the rink can resurrect the space and its history while introducing roller skating to those who have yet to experience it

The indoor roller skating rink officially opens to the public on Sept. 25. It will operate Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Fridays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday sessions are for adults only.

Guests can bring their own skates and pay $14 for a skating session, or rent skates on-site. Rental and admission prices start at $18 per session. You can now book sessions online by selecting available dates on SUSO Skate Co.'s official website.

The attraction aims to make roller skating accessible to people of different ages and abilities. SUSO began this initiative in Toronto in 2021 with a summer pop-up at The Bentway before expanding into more unique locations, including other near-empty malls, rooftops and other unlikely venues.

Built in 1985, much of Woodbine Mall's 51-acre footprint has fallen into a desolate state, as a series of shuttered businesses undermined the mall's viability over the years.

Its financial challenges ultimately led the mall to file for bankruptcy, and ownership was eventually given over to the lending company Rompsen Investment Corporation earlier this year.

SUSO Skate Co.'s latest pop-up might prove just the thing to breathe life into the failing centre.

Woodbine Mall is located at 500 Rexdale Blvd. in Etobicoke, Ont.