Rock and Roll Roller Rink has opened in a former Bartell Drugs building in Issaquah, becoming the first permanent roller rink on Seattle’s Eastside in several decades, according to its founders. Visitors are greeted by neon roller-skate signs, music and a disco ball. The nonprofit grew out of monthly pop-up events held after several years of planning.
Rink founder Ayla Webb started skating at age 5 and worked for nearly a decade at the now-closed Skate King in Bellevue. It shut down in 2015, followed by Skateland in Bremerton, Skate Connection in Auburn, Skate Deck in Everett and Skateworld in Tacoma. According to the Webbs, the disappearance of those venues left roughly a 40-mile gap on the Eastside without a rink of its own.
The closures were driven by more than changing public interests. Rising land and rental costs made the large spaces needed for skating attractive for conversion into warehouses, stores, offices and housing developments. Insurance, utilities and the upkeep of large halls added further pressure. At the same time, residents gained more leisure alternatives — from fitness centers and play spaces to movies, digital entertainment and seasonal events — making it harder for permanent rinks to maintain steady attendance.
Ayla, her husband Spencer, and Ed Mills and Irene Pasternak decided to create a permanent, family-friendly place for recreation. In 2025, Issaquah allowed the organization to hold monthly events at Pickering Barn, a historic community building that hosts fairs, cultural programs, weddings and other events. Its large open space, parking and accessibility made it convenient for a temporary rink, although the flooring, safety measures and logistics had to be prepared separately for each evening.
Volunteers had to transport hundreds of pounds of equipment in a rented truck, set up the rink in the morning and take it down at night. Despite the challenges, some events attracted more than 400 people and convinced the organizers to look for a permanent location.
Early this year, a suitable building was found on East Lake Sammamish Parkway. The owner agreed to a short-term lease and gave the organization a year to determine whether the rink could become financially self-sustaining. Before Rock and Roll opened, Issaquah residents had to drive to Federal Way, Lynnwood or Seattle — at least half an hour by car.
The rink operates six days a week and offers sessions for people of all ages, themed nights and a summer camp. Revenue comes from donations, admission tickets, memberships, camps and renting the space for birthday parties and other events. Spectators may enter for free, and people interested in becoming DJs receive free lessons. The space still looks unfinished: the former drugstore counter is now used as the skate-rental window.
The rink’s operations rely heavily on volunteers. One of them is Cliff Alcordo, who joined during the pop-up events. He helps distribute skates and handles other tasks, while his sons also participate and are allowed to skate for free. The organization plans to recruit new volunteers through King County community service, youth employment, internship and job-training programs, as well as through partner nonprofits.
The specific requirements will depend on agreements with those programs. Participants typically need to register, complete orientation, follow safety rules, be dependable and be willing to carry out assigned tasks. Working with children, handling cash or operating equipment may require background checks, a minimum age, specialized training or certifications. Through the practical experience, volunteers could help, for example, create murals or improve the sales system.
The founders hope eventually to buy the current building or another property, protecting the rink from redevelopment and preserving it as a community space. For now, attendance ranges from about 10 people to several dozen, but organizers expect it to grow once students return and cooler weather arrives. Ayla dreams of groups of 80 to 100 skaters, with a maximum capacity of 230 people. She says the rink brings people together, provides an opportunity to exercise and has become a “business of happiness” for a region where many places for shared recreation have disappeared in recent years.
Based on: New Issaquah roller skating rink brings family-friendly fun to Eastside