Lee County mom turns skating rink into learning center during pandemic

A single parent is bringing her idea to life and turning an empty skating rink into a school of sorts.

Nicole Sherill brainstormed ahead of the school year to think of a way to send her kids to school and feel safe about the decision.

“I was talking with another single mom, both trying to figure out how to go about the whole coronavirus,” Sherill said. “Both of us not wanting to send our child to school.”

Sherill is a working mother of two and the sales manager at Spinz skate rink in south Fort Myers. She came up with the idea: Why not turn this this big skating rink into a classroom of sorts for kids who sign up for Lee Home Connect?

Turn tables into desks, counselors into teachers’ aides. It’s good for parents.

“We have a whole lot bigger area than a classroom, and you’re still able to social distance and not have to wear the mask the entire day,” Sherill said.

And it’s good for business.

“Summertime is our busiest season,” Spinz owner Chad Evans said. “We do a lot of school events and camps. But, unfortunately, due to the COVID, a lot of events have been canceled. So moving forward we decided to explore our options.”

Sherill said this is the best of both worlds for moms and dads.

“They’ll still have that limitation of a few kids to interact with and still have that school aspect where they’re learning from home but from a safe distance away,” Sherill said.

Cost is $40 per day or $125 per week to send your child to Spinz to work on Lee Home Connect.

If you’re interested, e-mail info@spinzskates.com or call 2639-482-7789. The “classes” will be 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.