British Columbia

It's your last chance to say goodbye to Stardust

People who grew up skating at the Stardust roller skating rink in Surrey will have one more chance to coast around the floor before the building is replaced with a skyscraper.

There will be a farewell party before the venue in Surrey is torn down

The old Stardust building in the Whalley area of Surrey is expected to be replaced with a skyscraper. (Facebook)

People who grew up skating at the Stardust roller skating rink in Surrey will have one more chance to coast around the floor before the building is replaced with a skyscraper.

Stardust was a popular hangout for children and teenagers in the 70s, 80s and 90s but it closed more than a decade ago as crowds started to dwindle.

The building, which is now called the Central City Arena, currently hosts ball hockey tournaments and private events.

A plan to turn the site into a 50-storey education mega-centre is currently before city council.

One of the companies involved with the project wants to throw one last bash before Stardust is torn down.

The $220 million building will house about a thousand students. (CIBT Education Group)

"Everyone at [our company] has some sort of memory stemming from Stardust, so we felt it really fitting that Surrey should have one last opportunity to go back and feel one last bit of nostalgia," said WestStone Group Vice President Robert Dominick.

"It's a piece of Surrey's history that is going to disappear but we'd like for them to carry some memories with them."

He says his children used to go to birthday parties at Stardust when they were young, just like thousands of other kids who grew up south of the Fraser.

The company helped organize four public skating sessions on July 8 so those children would have a chance to say goodbye.

"It carries a lot of nostalgia for the local people," he said.

Tickets for the final skate sold out quickly but Dominick says they're considering adding a second date.