A brand new 20,000 square foot ice rink is set to open in December. She says she’s excited to open this new place and it’s a much-needed addition to the roller skate community.
“I think what this rink will be primarily useful for is for people who are interested in roller dancing,” Guns says. “There is a real need for more places to skate in Ottawa, especially indoors and especially in the winter. When all the hockey rinks are full of ice.”
Ottawa’s roller-skating revival will take place in a section of the Ottawa Citizen building on Baxter Street.
Michee Jean is one of the co-owners of Ottawa’s newest roller rink, called 4 Wheelies.
“We’ve noticed that there’s a big resurgence in roller skating,” says Jean. “It’s back in style.”
Interior of the Ottawa Citizen building on Baxter Street, which will be converted into an ice rink. (Dave Charbonneau/CTV News Ottawa The space may be an empty warehouse right now, but construction begins next week and skaters will be following the music in the 7,500-square-foot rink this holiday season. “And obviously, there’s a big need for it,” says Jean. “There’s a huge skating community in Ottawa. And so far the response has been great. And a lot of people are looking forward to it opening.” Co-owner Josefa Mampihaona says he wants to pay homage to the Ottawa rinks that came before them. “There’s an arcade, there’s party rooms, there’s a restaurant, there’s a bar,” says Mampihaona. “It’s very modern, but I want to put in some things that you know, pay homage to what Skateway and Skatumi had before.” For Gloria Guns, she says she’s just happy to have a place to skate once the snow falls. “We’re looking for places to skate and there really aren’t many opportunities,” Guns says. “So this rink will be a good opportunity for that.” Skating rinks have made a huge comeback. New rinks opened from New York to Edmonton. When 4 Wheelies opens, admission will be $17.00 and skate rentals will cost you $5.00. Monthly memberships are available for $50 per month for individuals, or a family membership of two adults and two children will cost you $150.00 per month.
