A New Rink for Lynbrook Roller Hockey

The start of a new season at the Lynbrook Roller Hockey League is always an exciting time. But with a brand-new rink surface installed over the summer, the young players have even more to look forward to.
   
"The kids say it's faster, more like ice hockey," said Pat Stapleton, president of the Lynbrook Roller Hockey League. Residents have been down to the rink, located at Greis Park, for several open-skating sessions in August. "There have been a lot of kids skating on it, including my own, and they like it."
   
The new surface, an interlocking, puzzle piece-like rubber material, replaces the old concrete surface that the rink was originally built with. Though the league got a good 10 years out of the surface, it began to show signs of wear, creating a hazard for players.
   
"It was dangerous for kids to skate on because of all the cracks," said Alan Beach, village trustee and liaison to the Lynbrook Recreation Center. "This surface is guaranteed for 10 years and it's a big draw for years to come."
   
Underneath the roller hockey surface is another surface suitable for volleyball and tennis matches, which may be utilized by the village at some point. The surface even has built-in holes below to erect the nets.
   
Residents are invited to come test out the new surface during open-skating sessions on the following dates: Wednesday, Sept. 1, from 6-9 p.m.; Wednesday, Sept. 8 from 6-9 p.m.; and Sunday, Sept. 12, time TBA.
   
The league's fall season is expected to begin in the second or third week of September.