COLD LAKE - The buzz of clippers met the beat of wheels at Crew Haus Barbers and Stylists on April 5, as the retro-inspired salon transformed into a hub of community connection, creativity, and skating dreams.
The fundraiser, held inside the Canex Mall, wasn't just about hair, it was about reigniting Cold Lake’s love for roller skating and building momentum for the future Roller Haus pop-up skating events.
The event was packed with activities such as live haircare demos, including scalp massages, beard tips, and curling tutorials, alongside a hands-on product testing station.
Guests browsed a silent auction filled with donations and got a treat with a live roller skating demo and a live DJ.
Lynn Folkard, owner of Crew Haus and the driving force behind the Roller Haus initiative, has been dreaming of bringing roller skating back to Cold Lake for years.
“I really wanted to get the word out about our shop because we are retro vibe in here and then furthermore, I personally really wanted to get roller skating going again just for myself and my friends,” said Folkard.
“Then it just snowballed. And I thought, we can combine something here.”
Folkard decided to host a fundraiser at her shop to build awareness and raise money for roller skating in Cold Lake. Funds were raised to purchase rental skates, secure venues, and build the foundation for a roller skating revival in the Lakeland.
The passion project got a powerful push from the Lakeland Ladykillers roller derby team.
“We could not have done this without the support of our friends with the Lakeland Lady Killers roller derby team,” said Folkard. “They've also sponsored the two nights at the Energy Centre June 7 and July 19, both Saturday nights from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. We will have some skates available for rental then.”
Kristy Poirier, also known as “Brass Brawls” from the Lakeland Ladykillers, explained that the roller derby league, originally founded in 2010, has been a staple in the Lakeland skating community.
“Lakeland Lady Killers Roller Derby League has been around for a few years but unfortunately COVID kind of took us down for a little bit and since Lynn from Roller Haus was starting to bring roller skating back to the Lakeland, we thought this was a good opportunity to work with her and bring derby back to the Lakeland.”
The Lakeland Ladykillers are preparing to relaunch with regular practices and a new learn-to-skate, learn-to-derby program, attracting participants from across the Lakeland region, including Bonnyville, Pierceland, Cold Lake, and St. Paul.
For Folkard, it’s all about giving back, creating joy, and reintroducing something timeless. “This is all family friendly, old school getting together with your buds, hitting up the roller rink,” she said. “It's just having a good time and being active.”
