Roller Mecca looks like its gonna happen

[lcmgadgets]

In another thread, some months ago, I revealed that I'm an obsessed roller skater (my siblings have been talking intervention). I'd gone back to rollerskating after almost 20 years off, & haven't regretted it for 1 instant. 1 problem: here in Ontario, Canada, rollerskating went into a big slump in the 80's, & all the dedicated rinks closed except 2 (partly because several of them were owned by a business group who decided they could make more from bingo, so they converted their rinks into bingo halls)). Here in London, we've been skating in a community centre. I've dreamt for a long time of a non profit roller rink, built to promote rollerskating rather than simply making money. I discovered about a year ago that my now 71 year old skating instructor, has not only shared this dream, but flushed it out with real designs, business plans, looking for investors, etc.

& a few months back, he took me to look at a building he wants to rent. & he started communicating with the owner of a rink that was closing in Ohio, looking into the possibility of salvaging & buying their hard wood floor (THE ideal roller skating surface). I thought it was all still in the talk/thought stage. Boy, was I wrong! He's since chosen the building he wants to rent, & purchased the hard wood floor & moved it to storage. He's written a lengthy business plan that I'm to,d the lawyers like, & is approaching banks & investors for the capital to bring it all home. He believes the rink can b running by this fall! & what it'll include--a main large floor, a smaller training floor with a jump harness (I'll explain if anyone wants to know), a derby track, a weights room, &, yes, an arcade (& I pressed him to confirm that it'll b a REAL arcade, not a collection of those blasted ticket dispensing things), &, down the road, an indoor skate park--will make it a Mecca of all things roller. It won't b truly non-profit; he wanted it that way but its just too difficult. But he says any profit it makes will go back into it; & he's the kinda lover of the sport that he'll live up to it.

Roller skating is growing popular here again in Ontario--wish us luck here, I'd really like to see this happen--enough so that I'm investing some of my own money in it (there's another thing--I pointed out to him that selling shares gave away control of the rink, & he told me hes only selling to avid skaters, & requiring them to sell them back to the rink owner(s).

I really, really want to see this happen.

...any other avid roller skaters out there?

[ark_ader]

Do you have a business plan?

[pbj]

-enough so that I'm investing some of my own money in it (there's another thing--I pointed out to him that selling shares gave away control of the rink, & he told me hes only selling to avid skaters, & requiring them to sell them back to the rink owner(s).

Sounded good until this point.  Don't invest anything that'll it hurt to never see again.

[eds1275]

...any other avid roller skaters out there?

I was an avid roller skater like you, until I took an arrow to the knee.

   Seriously though I got the appeal but never got into it personally. I wish you luck, but as PBJ said, maybe work on the shares idea a little more. You might not get people hardcore enough to commit money to a non-profit, especially when you chop that group down to only hardcore skaters.

[Vigo]

Good luck, I simply cannot roller skate or even skate board. Do not have the right kind of coordination for it. I even had formal roller skating lessons in middle school, about 10 sessions. Landed straight on my skull more times than baby Sloth in Mama Fratelli's arms.

I can manage roller blading though...I have a 20 year old pair in my shed that I was thinking of fixing up.

[deadmoney5]

roller skate...as in with 4 wheels?

I didnt think anybody did that anymore with the invention of rollerblades?

But yes, in the 80s, I roller skated a lot.

[pbj]

From the way my wife tells it, there's a whole path that involves beginning on roller skates before you go on to competitive figure skating.  She was involved in that machine and won't touch roller blades.

 

[leapinlew]

CLAP CLAP CLAP! XANADU!!

[Le Chuck]

Round these parts roller dancing and roller derby are both still huge. I ice skate and love it, anytime I roller I just get angry at how rigid it is compared to ice.

That said all the best ice skaters are also kickass roller skaters. I am not one of those tho 

[SavannahLion]

I didnt think anybody did that anymore with the invention of rollerblades?

Inlines predate skates.

[Vigo]

I didnt think anybody did that anymore with the invention of rollerblades?

Inlines predate skates.

True, but there was never a successful design until Rollerblade in the 1980's. The inventor of the first inline skate promptly took them to a party to show off, then rolled right into a large mirror and hospitalized himself. The next attempts at inline skates had no ability to turn or brake. Wheels were flat edged instead of rounded so leaning did not change your direction. They were not even good at picking up speed, so it was more of a novelty than anything. It wasn't until the side-by-side roller skate were invented that there was ever a real commercial success in any form of skating, at that point, inline was never an option until Rollerblade.

[ed12]

well i live in london,and am a avied roller-skater
the last rink i knew of was where the now egals club is on first street..there was 1 up the street where the bingo center is now,just south of the caw hall.
the 1 on dunda street turned into a bowlling ally

ed

[SavannahLion]

I didnt think anybody did that anymore with the invention of rollerblades?

Inlines predate skates.

True, but there was never a successful design until Rollerblade in the 1980's. The inventor of the first inline skate promptly took them to a party to show off, then rolled right into a large mirror and hospitalized himself. The next attempts at inline skates had no ability to turn or brake. Wheels were flat edged instead of rounded so leaning did not change your direction. They were not even good at picking up speed, so it was more of a novelty than anything. It wasn't until the side-by-side roller skate were invented that there was ever a real commercial success in any form of skating, at that point, inline was never an option until Rollerblade.

That's true about RB.

Doesn't change the fact on which came first. Inlines. 
Which was the first commercial success. Quads. 
Which is better. Inlines ---smurfette---.
Though my wife would tell you quads are, then refuse to sleep with me that night. 

This is just one of those things that just is. Like trying to argue which is better, Ford or Chevy and I say Toyota

I just wanted to point out that if Plimpton didn't come up with his skate design, development on the inline would have progressed as it did at an earlier/faster? pace. However.... it could be argued that if Plimpton didn't do it, someone else would have come up with the design. I had a roommate who was a skating king back in the day (his words not mine, by the time I knew him he was just as big as a whale and drank just as much) who fancied himself an inventor. He hammered away at the inline "problem" even back when but he didn't know enough about metallurgy to avoid cracking the frame. When Rollerblade released their blade in the 80's it basically crushed him emotionally and, I guess, professionally. RB's R&D solved the problem he couldn't.

In a nutshell, when Quads took the skating world by storm, it essentially stalled inline development for years. I'm not trying to argue about it really. It's one of those sorts of histories where both types skates are inevitable. I have Rollerblades, someone else has Quads. To each their own.

[lcmgadgets]

well i live in london,and am a avied roller-skater
the last rink i knew of was where the now egals club is on first street..there was 1 up the street where the bingo center is now,just south of the caw hall.
the 1 on dunda street turned into a bowlling ally

Omg, yes, the rink on 1st was Wheels, the rink on east Dundas was originally Skateland, when it was owned by my trainer (& his parents before him), by the time I moved to London (1985) it was The Roller Palace. There's still roller skating in London, at the North London Optomist Community Centre, at Cheapside & Highbury. Sat. & Sun., family skate from 1 to 4 pm (next Sat. will b the last Sat. until Oct., however), Wed. 18 & over from 7:30 to 10:30. Come out! Getting a little quiet there now that the summer is starting (esp. on the weekend). Look for the wannabe freestyler near the centre of the rink wearing all the pads & laughing whenever he falls--that'll  b me--Craig--come & say hi!

[Vigo]

I didnt think anybody did that anymore with the invention of rollerblades?

Inlines predate skates.

True, but there was never a successful design until Rollerblade in the 1980's. The inventor of the first inline skate promptly took them to a party to show off, then rolled right into a large mirror and hospitalized himself. The next attempts at inline skates had no ability to turn or brake. Wheels were flat edged instead of rounded so leaning did not change your direction. They were not even good at picking up speed, so it was more of a novelty than anything. It wasn't until the side-by-side roller skate were invented that there was ever a real commercial success in any form of skating, at that point, inline was never an option until Rollerblade.

That's true about RB.

Doesn't change the fact on which came first. Inlines. 
Which was the first commercial success. Quads. 
Which is better. Inlines ---smurfette---.
Though my wife would tell you quads are, then refuse to sleep with me that night. 

This is just one of those things that just is. Like trying to argue which is better, Ford or Chevy and I say Toyota

  

The only reason I even brought up the history is that RollerBlade used to be a local company to me, I knew a tad about them. I'm with you. inlines are much better. I can last more than 5 minutes without a concussion on inlines.

Traditional roller skates do have a certain charm to them though.

[ChadTower]

I was an avid roller skater like you, until I took an arrow to the knee.

Dude, where the f*** are you skating?  Hyrule?


I really only ever spent a little bit of time in elementary school on roller skates.  In high school and college I did turn many sets of inline wheels into cheerios.  Roller hockey was huge in our area, and since many of us were ice hockey players, it just seemed natural.  I tried to introduce my kids to it but the older one is just not that kid and the younger one would only ever do it if I went with him.

[ed12]

lcmgadgets

thk-u i will do
thk-u for the info,let me see if i can wiffie back on them
but she love's to go try thing's
watch for me on the outside rim

ed

[eds1275]

I was an avid roller skater like you, until I took an arrow to the knee.

Dude, where the f*** are you skating?  Hyrule?

It's a skyrim reference! The guards often say "I used to be an adventurer like you, then I took an arrow in the knee."

[lcmgadgets]

thk-u i will do
thk-u for the info,let me see if i can wiffie back on them
but she love's to go try thing's
watch for me on the outside rim

Cool! There's also a Christian music night this Friday (7 to 10pm). Not really my thing, but I'll b there--I'm VP of the local roller skaters club, & I'll b there as much to help out & moral support as to skate.

If & when u come, how will I know u? We'll have to talk some arcade stuff, too. 

[ed12]

to be honest i will look lost....
truth right there..
i hope u ppl rent roller-skate's as i do not where my rug rat's put mine ?
also i do not think wiffie will be comming as she is a doing a full last over time weekend before we fly out..but i will do my very best..look for a honda gold-wing >mine<
and i go by the same name as here expect lose the 12

ed

[Vigo]

Gold Wing? Nice! I always wanted to get a touring bike.

[lcmgadgets]

Oh yes, they rent & sell roller skates & much related paraphernalia. Hope I catch u there (I'll b there tonight, Fri., & very likely Sat. & Sun.--can u say 'obsessed'?  ).

U comin' too, Vigo? 

[ed12]

mine will be more like sat
i think there dragging me to port dover >fri/13/14<

see u there

ed

[BadMouth]

mine will be more like sat
i think there dragging me to port dover >fri/13/14<

I rode up there a couple years ago.
Good times, but they double the price on everything in town that weekend.

I just had last week off work or else I'd head up there this Friday.

Side note: the GPS on my phone stopped working after a U.S. border agent asked me to stand next to their trailer and chat.
It was working on the way to the border.  Coincidence?

EDIT:http://www.pd13.com/

[ed12]

bad mouth it is so easy to get to
if in fort erie :usa: side ? go to welland and take 3 right up to 24 make a left.
if comming through detorit 401-east to 403 east,403 to 24 south
both will get u there in a newyork heart beat


ed

[BadMouth]

bad mouth it is so easy to get to
if in fort erie :usa: side ? go to welland and take 3 right up to 24 make a left.
if comming through detorit 401-east to 403 east,403 to 24 south
both will get u there in a newyork heart beat


ed

I come in through Buffalo NY.
I'm in PA on the other side of the Lake, lol.

[ed12]

easy
from peace bridge
qew to 403 west to 24 south
straight run to dover from there

ed

[Vigo]

U comin' too, Vigo? 

if I was closer, I'd be there! 

[dgame]

Not much of a roller skater, but this song is one of my favorites:

[pbj]

Not as good as this one

[lcmgadgets]

Both of those songs work. 1 of my present favourites (they change about every month) is Earth, Wind & Fire: 'September'.

Hope to c u Sat., Ed. Should b easy--it'll probably b pretty quiet; last Sat. skate til Oct.

[ed12]

i had the wiffie correct me on the loaction


Omg, yes, the rink on 1st was Wheels, the rink on east Dundas was originally Skateland, when it was owned by my trainer (& his parents before him), by the time I moved to London (1985) it was The Roller Palace. There's still roller skating in London, at the North London Optomist Community Centre, at Cheapside & Highbury. Sat. & Sun., family skate from 1 to 4 pm (next Sat. will b the last Sat. until Oct., however), Wed. 18 & over from 7:30 to 10:30. Come out! Getting a little quiet there now that the summer is starting (esp. on the weekend). Look for the wannabe freestyler near the centre of the rink wearing all the pads & laughing whenever he falls--that'll  b me--Craig--come & say hi!

it will take me few warm up run's

that is right behind  Fanshawe College ,beside the shell gas station
..should put u there..

ed
 

[ed12]

well i never found u
but i did find the floor 4-x
time for me to dig out me own skate's
me feet are still itching
great time

ed

[lcmgadgets]

H' & I were there, & we'll b there today, too (Sunday). Did u come & leave in the 1st half hour? I was tied up in the pro shop--I busted a king pin right at 1pm! That's the 3rd 1 ever--& so far, I've been lucky--I wasn't doing anything big when it happened. I'm always worried I'll. come down from a jump, or b in the middle of a good spin, & that's when something major'll fail. Were u the dark haired guy with glasses & a vest?

Well, if u come Sun., look for the guy wearing black knee, elbow, & hip pads, & a brown t-shirt. & b aware--the rink is closed the rest of the week after Sun., & isn't open Sat., anymore until Oct. I'll b getting my skate fix Tues. night in Burford this week--hey, do u want to come? I hope u find your skates--it'd drive me nuts to have to skate in a different pair.

Hey Vigo, r u in Michigan? If so, it's possible we could meet at a rink there; once every few months a bunch of us pick 1 of the 50 rinks in Michigan for a visit.

& I, H', & the eldest of my sisters will b skating at Guptil's in Albany, NY, the weekend of June 27--28. Anyone out that way that's interested?

[ed12]

burford ?
my god that is colse to brantford........
yes i was the 1 who fell 4-x
no wiffie is at work
yes i bitached everyone about my skates
roller's were :stickey: ?

burford  one of my best bud's own a fram there >maytas<

ed

[ed12]

which way do u take  ? #53 i hope
instead of 24 to cut over from 403
or do u do u go princtin road ?

ed

[lcmgadgets]

Uhhh, I'll let u know later today. Been a while since I was there--gotta go over the maps again. 

...okay, I'm back. I'll b taking 401 to the 403, exiting on exit 16 (County Rd. 25/Princeton), turn right onto Middle Townline Rd./Regional Rd. 25, turn left onto Brant 53, turn right onto Potter Dr., and the skating is at the Burford Community Centre at 14 Potter Dr. Skating is every Tues. (til Aug. 26th), (all ages from 6 to 8 pm ($3/person + $3 skate rentals if u need em), adult skate (16+) from 8 to 11 ($7/person). I'll b there for the adult skate only (until July, when I'll start bringing H').

...Do u want a ride (with complete/near complete strangers)?? There r 2 of us for sure right now, a 3rd 1 maybe.