Roller skating renaissance rocks on as new rink opens in Edmonton

Decades after the last roller rink closed in Edmonton, a new indoor space is opening its doors tonight.

Rollers Roller Rink, near Christy's Corner on St. Albert Trail, will be the only permanent roller rink in the province.   

Claudia Garcia has owned and operated the Toe Stop Derby Shop for five years and has long felt there was a demand for a roller rink in the city.

Expanding to a rink just seemed like a natural progression, she told CBC's Radio Active. 

"Technically you're not supposed to roller skate on sidewalks, so we really do have very little opportunity to skate," Garcia said. "We don't have a space to practise." 

The new rink takes over an old gym, which has been transformed into three skating surfaces, a small concession stand and two sitting areas.

There is even some space for Garcia to set up her roller skate shop in the corner. 

"I've been looking for three years for a location, and it's been extremely difficult to find something that is big enough," Garcia said. 

When hunting for a building, the options were slim such as an old automotive shop with oil still on the floor.

"The space is bigger than what I had wanted but it was ready to go," she said. "But it just seemed to be the perfect fit."

The best part is it's accessible by transit. 

She has many plans on how to be a staple in the city. Garcia wants to have the rink open for birthday parties — "not just for children by the way," she said — and skating lessons.

"People who used to roller skate all the time, they're very excited because they haven't had the space to roller skate," she said.

And then of course there is roller derby.