WATERFORD, Mich. – Tuesday’s storm has ripped off the roof at a Waterford roller rink. In their time of need, community members rallied to help repair the damages.
The incident occurred on April 29 at Rolladium Family Fun Center in Oakland County.
Anthony Anselmi, whose mom owns the family-owned skating rink, shared with Local 4 some of the details about the unexpected damage caused by the severe weather that ripped off the roof.
Anselmi said he was once the general manager of a family-owned business, so he knows the ins and outs.
He said the rink, which has been a community staple since 1950, experienced significant roof damage.
“Mother Nature, she won brutally, if I must be honest. We had wind gusts We had wind gusts between 60 and 70 miles per hour, and I think it was between 1:45 and about two o’clock.
Luckily, nobody in the building was hurt. Nobody was skating. It was not open session. Nope. It was just pretty much bookkeeping, tidying up, cleaning up. My mom had just sold a pair of skates, maybe 10 minutes before it happened, and she heard the noise, and she came out just in time to watch the roof peel right off.
It was like a tuna can. That was her words, peeled off. Peeled off. Yes, like, like a tuna cast. That’s the analogy I was given."
Anthony Anselmi
Anselmi said the top roofing and the insulation were what peeled off. He said the roof itself was 100% intact and safe.
Once news broke about the family-owned establishment, community members volunteered to help out.
Anselmi praised Priority Waste for stepping in. He said it was a Waterford, stronger together kind of thing, as four dumpsters came from his current job.
He noted that the renovations completed in 2016 had improved the building significantly, but the recent weather event posed new challenges.
Despite the damage, Anselmy expressed gratitude that no one was inside skating at the time. The rink was closed for an internal work party, and the timing of the incident prevented potential injuries.
While there is some water damage, Anselmy was hopeful about recovery.
“We were able to persuade the mitigation crew to work through the night,” Anselmy said. “They want hours, and they offered to do it.”
He said that among all the mitigation crews, the roofing company, and Priority Waste, the rink should reopen quickly.
The rink’s community ties were strong, with many locals reaching out to offer support. Anselmy noted that he has received messages from people he hasn’t spoken to in years, all concerned about the rink’s status.
The rink’s community ties are strong, with many locals reaching out to offer support. Anselmy noted that he has received messages from people he hasn’t spoken to in years, all concerned about the rink’s status.
“It’s nice to know that people care,” he said. “This place means a lot to a lot of people.”
As the rink prepares for repairs, Anselmy is optimistic about reopening. “We’re hoping to get this back open and operational as soon as possible,” he said. “Everybody needs something fun to do.”
The renovations completed in recent years, including new party rooms and arcade areas, were not damaged during the storm.
Anselmy confirmed that 5,000 square feet of the rink remains untouched, but the remaining 31,000 square feet will require extensive work.
“This is the first time anything like this has happened,” Anselmy said. “We always plan on getting through it. We always have, and we always will.”
