'Relieved and excited': Rollers Roller Rink finally reopens in new space
Boasting 2,300 square metres of skating space at its new location, Edmonton's Rollers Roller Rink believes it is the largest in Canada.
Count also the Toe Stop Derby Shop, five party rooms, locker area, rental counter, concession and sitting area inside, and Rollers' new location is more than 3,700 square metres in total.
"I'm relieved and excited about what the future brings," owner Claudia Garcia told CTV News Edmonton on Sunday, one week after the move to 14648 134 Ave. was officially complete.
The new rink is not only an upsizing over Rollers' previous space in Christy's Corner on St. Albert Trail, but also has a brand new floor and management has been able to decorate in a colourful, eye-catching way.
"Everything's kind of like the best version that it could be," said manager Ashtyn Sample.
The reopening has been a long time in the making. Rollers announced in late 2023 it would be moving and reopening by February, but the renovation process took longer.
"We thought it was going to be a seamless transition, but as everything, things don't go according to plan and there have been hiccups. Although, we're happy and excited that we're finally open in our new space and love it," Garcia said.
A skater herself, she opened the skate supply shop in 2016, then the rink in 2019.
To see Rollers grow to need the space it does now, Garcia said, feels "like my vision has come true."
"I love it," said skater Emily Lamoureux, who took up roller skating at Rollers three years ago in search of a physical hobby. "The floor is amazing. So smooth. The area is so big, so even if you need to dodge around maybe some beginner skaters, or some people that have had a tumble, it's easier to do that in this location."
In addition to lessons, parties and open skating, the rink has plans for themed events, karaoke nights and some other surprises.
Both the staff and Lamoureux hope the new space amplifies a recent resurgence in interest in the sport, whether it's roller dance, derby or park skating.
"I feel so free when I roller skate. It's a physical activity, but also an art form," Sample said.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Miriam Valdes-Carletti
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Mexico president says Canada has a 'very serious' fentanyl problem
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly is not escalating a war of words with Mexico, after the Mexican president criticized Canada's culture and its framing of border issues.
Freeland says it was 'right choice' for her not to attend Mar-a-Lago dinner with Trump
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland says it was 'the right choice' for her not to attend the surprise dinner with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at Mar-a-Lago with U.S. president-elect Donald Trump on Friday night.
Quebec doctors who refuse to stay in public system for 5 years face $200K fine per day
Quebec's health minister has tabled a bill that would force new doctors trained in the province to spend the first five years of their careers working in Quebec's public health network.
NDP won't support Conservative non-confidence motion that quotes Singh
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says he won't play Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's games by voting to bring down the government on an upcoming non-confidence motion.
Speaker's ruling clears path for Trudeau's government to face successive tests of confidence in days ahead
After rallying his party's caucus and staffers on Parliament Hill Tuesday, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh signalled that he's still not ready to help the other opposition parties trigger an early election, yet.
Opposition leaders talk unity following Trudeau meeting about Trump, minister calls 51st state comment 'teasing'
The prime minister’s emergency meeting with opposition leaders on Tuesday appears to have bolstered a more united front against U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s tariff threats.
Calgary man who drove U-Haul over wife sentenced to 15 years
A Calgary man who killed his wife in 2020 when he drove over her in a loaded U-Haul has been sentenced to 15 years behind bars.
Man severely injured saving his wife from a polar bear attack in the Far North
A man was severely injured Tuesday morning when he leaped onto a polar bear to protect his wife from being mauled in the Far North community of Fort Severn.
Canada is pausing private refugee sponsorship applications until 2026
Immigration Minister Marc Miller says that the recent pause in most private refugee sponsorships is because there is an 'oversupply' of applications and they don't want to give people fleeing war zones false hope.