Roller Rink Could Be Coming To Former Shirley Bowling Alley Site

SHIRLEY, NY — A roller rink could be coming to the former bowling alley in Shirley.

According to a notice of public hearing, JM2 Architecture PC of Farmingville has made an application to the Brookhaven Town planning board for an approval of a change of use to convert the former AMF Shirley Lanes bowling alley, located on The Green, into a roller rink, as well as retail space.

The proposal would require a special permit from the planning board for an assembly and social recreation hall, as well as a variance for the required amount of parking needed, the notice said.

The proposal, 30 The Green@Shirley, refers to the parcel located at the northwest corner of The Green and Roberts Road.

A virtual public hearing will be streamed live online here on Monday, June 22, at 4 p.m.

Adjacent property owners or any others that want to send comments to the planning board can do so via chat here.

Although there were reports that retails businesses interested in the property could include an arcade and a dollar store, that could not be immediately confirmed.

Brookhaven Town Councilman Dan Panico said he met with the individual who is going to develop the roller skating rink.

"I fully support the idea and believe it can be very successful in the area," he said. "I haven’t spoken with the owner of the property in quite some while, but we have enough dollar stores. There is a real need for community friendly type places in our area. A place like Safari Adventure would do extremely well in our area."

In 2019, despite rumors a'plenty and lots of speculation about what business might be opening at the former AMF Shirley Lanes, located on The Green — the business shuttered in recent years — Panico said on social media at the time that a new bowling alley likely wasn't in the cards.