Local Roller Hockey Rink could become Picnic Area

The South Gate Park roller hockey rink was built in 1997 to meet the growing demand for the sport.  Today it is hardly ever used by anyone for its intended purpose.

“Roller hockey has died out,” said , Director of Parks and Recreation. “We do have a couple of gentlemen who use it twice a month for roller hockey, but the rest of time it is used by residents for soccer.”

City officials would prefer that residents not use the rink for soccer.  They warn that the concrete can be slippery for those  who running on it.

“We try to discourage soccer,” said Adams. “The concrete can get awfully slippery for someone wearing tennis shoes.”

The rink is actually supposed to be used only by those that reserve it ahead of time for roller hockey. Right now, the Parks and Recreation Department cannot afford to have a member of their staff monitoring the use of the rink.

This budget reality has forced the city to try and locking the rink’s entrance to better manage its use. Something that has not been particularly successful.

“When we put a new lock it will usually get cut off or disappear as soon as we place it,” admitted Adams. “[The rink] is usually open.”

The city has to do its best to enforce the rules of the rink, so that it does not get held accountable for any accident that happens, said Adams.

The lack of interest for roller hockey, and the use of the rink for other purposes, have led park officials to think about other potential uses for that space.

“We are planning to eventually take down the walls [surrounding the rink] and turn it into a picnic area,” said Adams. “First, I have got to find the money, so there are no plans for construction anytime soon.”

However, if the money is found and a plan is made, the future of the rink will be decided by the South Gate City Council.

“Like anything else, it will go to the City Council,” said Adams. “The public will have an opportunity to make their comments.”

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