STEAM Academy in Newcastle , who has brought several classes to be part of Roller King ’ s STEM program . With STEM , students learn scientific aspects of roller skating and the rink — like learning how music affects skaters , and taking a skate apart and putting it back together — before each class ends on the rink . “ They ’ re tentative skating at first , but by the end , everybody was doing it .”
Indoor roller skating centers were closed due to COVID-19 restrictions , but there was a silver lining , Jacques says . With people forced outdoors , roller skating outside became more popular , leading to a resurgence once indoor rinks reopened , Jacques says .
“ We had to wait to capitalize , but nationally the trend has gone up and skating became more popular ,” he says . “ But since we reopened , there ’ s been a big boom in interest . We used to rely more on parties and groups , but the interest in walk-in trade has increased , which is encouraging .”
Jacques ’ parents , Michael and Patricia Jacques , who still live in the area , are both nationally acclaimed competitive skaters . They were operating the Fantasia Skate Center in Sacramento and were brought in to run Roller King when the structure was built . The Jacques family eventually bought out the original owners and ran it until David and his older sister Kristina Sadahire took over in 2015 . The siblings were both graduates of Roseville ’ s Oakmont High School and also youth championship-level skaters .
“ The skating rink was the most fun babysitter ever ,” David Jacques says about growing up at Roller King . “ Unlimited video games , all you can skate , and free food in the snack bar .”
The Capital Region is one of the most bountiful areas in the state for roller skating rinks , with four other rinks operating in Sacramento and Elk Grove .
“ Each of us ( the other Capital Region rinks ) have carved out our own area where we draw from ,” Jacques says . “ Most of our customers are from
Roseville and the surrounding areas , and the foothills up to Auburn . We get a lot of adults from the Bay Area also .”
Roller King survived the various pandemic closures , getting help through Placer County and the City of Roseville grant programs , but also by another unusual method — selling groceries obtained from food distributor Sysco . Jacques says he was able to purchase items like rice , sugar and black beans from the company , then package and sell them to local customers .
“ It was a little more work than I expected and I didn ’ t make a ton of money , but it kept me busy during the pandemic ,” Jacques says . Roller King also upgraded the 25,000-square-foot facility ( the rink is about 12,800 square feet ) while it was closed , adding new carpet and solar panels , he says .
Jacques says with around 25 employees , Roller King has slowly gotten back to normal hiring levels , and takes pride in being the first job for many local kids .
“ It ’ s special , a blast from the past ,” says the teacher Nemeth . “ The lessons last about an hour , and then there would be the skating . That is where the social ( and ) emotional learning comes in ; my favorite part .”
Steve Martarano was a reporter at the Sacramento Union for 10 years before working in public affairs for both state and federal agencies in Sacramento . On Twitter @ MartArchives .
“ It ’ s a unique activity . Everything has gone virtual these days , so there are fewer and fewer things where you can interact and be with other people and see them face-to-face .”
David Jacques , co-owner , Roller King
Current owners , siblings Kristina Sadahire and David Jacques , grew up around Roller King and were both youth championship-level skaters .
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