Chaffee Roller Rink Collapses

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Chaffee landmark Willow Grove Roller Rink collapsed under the weight of snow and ice Wednesday. Owner Roberta Grojean isn't sure what the future holds for the business that has been in her family for the past half-century. VIDEO: https://youtu.be/b0KHSSLv3WA

Willow Grove Roller Rink in Chaffee collapsed Wednesday evening under the weight of ice and snow. Rows of skates sat exposed to the elements Friday, January 30, 2009, when owner Roberta Grojean came to retrieve several family pairs. Willow Grove Roller Rink has been in the Grojean family since the 1950s. "Many people have told me that they met their wife or husband here," said Grojean, who is uncertain about the future of Willow Grove. (Kit Doyle)
Chaffee landmark Willow Grove Roller Rink collapsed late Wednesday, January 28, 2009. (Kit Doyle)
Robert Grojean retrieves a pair of family skates for his mother Roberta Friday, January 30, 2009, from Willow Grove Roller Rink, which the family has owned for many decades. The Chaffee rink collapsed Wednesday under added weight from snow and ice. (Kit Doyle)
Children's skates lie outside of the collapsed Willow Grove Roller Rink Friday, January 30, 2009, in Chaffee. (Kit Doyle)

Robert Grojean looks over the collapsed remains of Willow Grove Roller Rink, which has been owned by his family for half a century, Friday, January 30, 2009, in Chaffee. (Kit Doyle)
Hundreds of pairs of roller skates lie around the collapsed Willow Grove Roller Rink in Chaffee. (Kit Doyle)
Robert Grojean checks skates while surveying the damage to his family's business, Willow Grove Roller Rink, which collapsed late Wednesday in Chaffee. (Kit Doyle)