Two Longmont sisters want to bring a roller skating rink back to the city.
Melissa Blumenshine and Mandy Martin of Freewheel Limited want to eventually open a brick-and-mortar skating rink in Longmont, and to get started they will be hosting a series of pop up roller skating events this year.
Blumenshine recalled getting the idea for the skate rink while sitting at the local trampoline park and wondering if there might be another way to get kids active indoors. She told her sister about her idea for an indoor rink, and the two quickly got excited over the prospect.
“We just really want to bring the joy of roller skating back to Longmont,” Blumenshine said. “That’s what it really comes down to is the joy that roller skating brings to people, that feeling.”
Longmont’s local skating rink closed in 2003, but was popular with locals. Both sisters have children, so the idea of a new entertainment option for their families was especially important.
“We want to promote health and skating is a great way to stay active,” Martin said.
The sisters joined the Entrepreneurship for All Summer 2022 accelerator program and were awarded $1,500 for their business endeavor. They also attended a skate expo in Las Vegas where they got the idea for a pop-up or mobile rink.
Martin said the pop-up model will be a way to generate revenue and prove that a roller skating rink is a viable entertainment option in Longmont while they pursue a brick and mortar location. The 10 foot by 10 foot tiles can be laid over any flat area, indoors or outdoors, that make for perfect roller skating.
The pop-up rink will be 40 feet by 60 feet with a limited number of skate rentals available along with skate trainers to help new skaters learn how to get around.
Their first event will be March 17, with an evening launch party hosted by DJ Drake, and March 18 at the Boulder County Fairgrounds. Admission will be $10 plus a $5 skate rental, though skaters can also bring their own equipment.
“We are most definitely going to be hosting other events,” Martin added, outlining discussions with the city and Village at the Peaks for events as the weather warms.
The two said there’s already been a lot of enthusiasm for the concept. Once they have a brick-and-mortar location, they’re hoping to offer classes and work with local schools to get more kids skating.
“We just really want to bring the community together,” Blumenshine said. “That’s one of the biggest things is being involved with the community and just being a place where kids can be safe and have fun and exercise — and just be kids.”
Learn more and subscribe to updates at www.skatefreewheel.com.
