For years, in Lakewood was the scene. Yes, there was skating, but it was more than that. It’s where all the friends were. It’s where dates happened. It’s where people held hands or kissed for the first time.
But then, in 1996, the rink shuttered its doors, devastating Kelli Fischer and her husband, Bry Duncan. Although they didn’t know each other at the time, the two regularly skated there when they were younger. Duncan even worked there for quite a bit.
This weekend, though, the roller rink held another grand opening, decades after the first. The couple worked to restore the rink to its former glory, and once again crowds flocked to pull on skates and hit the floor.
On West Alameda Avenue and South Pierce Street, the rink — one of a couple Roller City facilities — was built in 1957 by Bob Chado. He and his sons ran the place until it closed. It was bought by DAV and operated as a thrift store for 22 years. Furniture marks still scuff the rink’s floor — the same floor Chado installed — although the couple worked to fill the gashes so skaters wouldn’t hit bumps.
On principle, Duncan said, he didn’t return to the rink when it was a thrift store.
“Too many memories,” he said. “It broke my heart when they closed the place.”
But Fischer is a thrift store lover, so she dragged him there. They told the DAV that if it ever closed the thrift store, they would love to have it. So when the thrift store was shutting down, the couple got a call.
This wasn’t the first time they had tried to open a rink. About four or five years ago, they had looked at a bowling alley but the remodel would’ve been too expensive, Fischer said. Roller City West, by comparison, was built to be a skating rink.
The duo bought the rink last year. It was always known as Roller City West, although the cardinal direction was never part of its official name until now. The remodel and the opening wasn’t totally smooth, given the age and condition of the building. But it’s up and running again — partly with the help of Chapo, who dispensed some of his knowledge.
“I love it,” Duncan said. “I grew up in this rink. I feel like I’m back home.”
He’s not the only one. One of their part-time employees had worked at the original rink when he was a teen. A career and retirement later, the man is back working at the rink he used to love.
The facility is 20,000 square feet, with the rink running 100 feet by 200 feet.
A smaller area is designated for new skaters; adults are allowed to walk with shoes in that area to help small kids. Murals of skates line the wall. Planets and rocket ships are spray-painted on lockers. Giant popcorn and cotton candy statues stick out from the wall.
The main focus is recreational skating, but Synergy Inline Skating, a speed racing team that’s one of the best in the nation, also uses the facility. The couple is working to put in a pro shop to sell gear. People can also bring in their skates to be repaired.
There are four other Skate City rinks in the metro area but none in Denver proper. Some bars will do rollerskating nights but it’s not the same, Fischer said.
She said the rink returns as similar old-time pastimes, such as bowling, arcades and pool halls, also make a resurgence.
“People just got sick of trying to do something new,” she said. “Just get back to the basics.”
