New roller skating initiative brings retro fun to Cold Lake

When Linda Folkard first thought about starting a roller skating group in Cold Lake, she was simply looking for a fun indoor activity to break up the long winter months. 

But it wasn't long before she got the idea rolling. 

Folkard said Cold Lake, almost 300 kilometres northeast of Edmonton, has long and unforgiving winters and she saw a void in activities for adults who may not want to brave the cold. 

"It's not just about skating," she explained. "It's about community, movement, and doing something that brings people together."

Folkard's casual idea quickly turned into reality with a lot of community support for the idea. She said many people felt the same way she did in that they wanted the nostalgia and were "excited and ready to roll."

It was all the push she needed to bring Roller Haus Roller Skating to life.

But she still needed roller skates. That's where Adam Erdmann came in. 

The owner of Architectural Clearing House in Edmonton said he had received bins of old roller skates from a long-closed rink. 

"I had set them up on high shelves, like, I'm going to do something fun with them," he said. "I'm going to give them away or do some sort of charity event and get them out to the public."

Folkard learned from Claudia Garcia, the owner of Roller's Roller Rink on St Albert Trail — the largest of its kind in Canada — that the salvage company had about 200 pairs of roller and inline skates in its possession. 

Soon after, Folkard had a U-Haul filled with donated skates and gear, ready to be cleaned and refurbished by local volunteers and derby members.

"I was almost in tears," she said. "It felt like winning the lottery."

Erdmann said he's happy to have finally found a home for the skates. 

"I wanted them to go to a good cause," he said. "I wasn't worried about selling them or anything like that, I just wanted them to continue their life somewhere."

A push for non-profit status

Roller Haus, operating in collaboration with the Lakeland Lady Killers derby team, has already booked two roller skating nights this summer at Cold Lake's Energy Centre, which is a major multi-use facility that includes arenas and recreational space.

Folkard said they are in the process of securing another venue for the winter months, offering hope for long-term programming.

"We're calling it our 'forever home'," said Folkard. "We want to be able to offer lessons, birthday parties, school events, and maybe even adult skate nights — the kind of stuff that makes people say, 'I remember when."

Although Roller Haus isn't yet a registered non-profit, Folkard is working with a lawyer to make that official. She says it's a matter of values and vision.

"People need to know this isn't about making money," she said. "It's about creating something for everyone — a healthy, active, inclusive space. That's what drives me."

As for the future, Folkard sees potential for more than just skating, having now secured more venue space with the Cold Lake Agricultural Society.

"I think people are craving connection," she said.

"They want to move, laugh, and relive the fun from when they were younger, and want to share that with their kids or grandkids."