Victoria, BC: A historic stash of roller skates that has been stored in Victoria for the past three decades will roll again, this weekend at Roller Skate Victoria’s May the 4th Be With You Star Wars Roller Disco in Esquimalt.
The skates, which were first used in the early 80’s at a roller rink in Kapuskasing, Ontario, were discovered by the local roller skating company just weeks ago in an online classified ad posted by the skates’ original owner. The skates, which are primarily Canadian brands Dominion and Bauer, were put in a moving van driven west from Ontario in 1985 and have been stored in Victoria ever since.
Co-owner of Roller Skate Victoria Martin Newham says it is an honour to be able to carry on the legacy of these historic Canadian skates.
“it is really something that we found these amazing vintage skates around the same time we are both throwing this big Star Wars roller disco, and launching Friday night roller skating in Esquimalt, which is a throwback to my youth when I roller skated there in the 80’s. I’m really excited to see these skates rolling again”
The group hosts public roller skating every Friday night at Esquimalt’s Archie Browning Arena in addition to bi-annual big roller disco parties such as the May the 4th Star Wars disco this Saturday.
The original owner of the skates said during the heyday of roller skating in the 80’s she would have lineups outside before the rink opened, even in minus 30 weather. Newham says at the rate at which the popularity of roller skating is resurging, he hopes to have similar lineups at his events, but at a much more comfortable temperature.
Public roller skating happens Fridays at Archie Browning from 7-10 pm until the end of August. The May the 4th Be With You Star Wars Roller Disco is this Saturday with a family skate from 5-7 and a 19 plus skate from 7:30 – 11 pm, also at Archie Browning.
