During the holidays, the Napa Valley Expo came alive with the retro sounds and sights of “Wheel Life Napa,” a pop-up roller rink that provided a venue for family fun. But bringing a concept like this to fruition, especially on a temporary timeline, requires more than just skates and music. It required navigating regulations, finding the right location and building a partnership between the public and private sectors.
Q: Rick, let’s start with the vision. You’ve described Wheel Life Napa as a ‘labor of love.’ What was the specific moment that made you decide to bring a roller rink to Napa?
Rick: I’ve been wanting to do it for 40 years. I called one of my old bosses and told him the idea, and he said, “You mean that thing you’ve been dreaming about for 40 years?” And I said, “Yeah.” Back when my kids lived here in the early 2000s, there was nothing for kids to do. So, I decided, let’s give it a shot. Napa has been good to me, and I wanted to do something to give back — specifically to keep costs low so it’s affordable for everyone. I really wanted to focus on something for the locals…