Wheel-A-While was an indoor roller skating rink and recreation center with locations in Bismarck and Dickinson. It was a popular hangout, especially for high school-aged students. In addition to a skating rink, Wheel-A-While also featured a concession stand and other entertainment such as foosball.
The Heiers, who previously co-founded A&B Pizza, established Wheel-A-While in 1974. The 18,000-square foot steel building was leased from William Weiss, located at 1030 Weiss Avenue in Century Commercial Park.
The Heiers opened a Dickinson location in 1978 on West Villard, called Wheel-A-While II, which also housed an A&B Pizza. Bill and Donna Leingang then assumed management of the Bismarck branch.
The Dickinson location remained until at least 1985. The original Bismarck location closed in July 1987. In a March 1988 Tribune interview, Bill Leingang said the rink closed because of “bad time.” There’s speculation that music licensing fees and insurance rates made it impractical to make a profit at a time when roller skating popularity was on the decline.
Some consider Wheel-A-While to have been the last safe-place hangout for youths within the city.
