Roller Hockey supporters to unite this Tuesday to alleviate opposition concerns - By N.L. Belardes

You know I’m a Bakersfield roller hockey fan or I wouldn’t have posted my two cents about the local controversy, quoting local team Mower player Scott McNitt. Yes, there’s a controversy and now the supporters of the proposed new roller hockey facility have a chance to speak up.

I just got this email from roller hockey guru, Bob Neath. He’s running some of the rag tag remnants of the sport that many call the “Neath League”.

Read on:

…The Board of Zoning Adjustment will have a public hearing regarding the proposed construction of a roller hockey facility at Saunders Park on TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 3:00 P.M., CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, TRUXTUN AND EYE STREETS.

At the last meeting, the board members only heard from people in opposition to the project. We need to have as many people as possible who support the project in attendance. You do not have to speak- just your presence is enough to help convince the board members that there is support for this project.

Regarding those who oppose the project... it is very important that we do not engage in a public battle with them! We want to work together to alleviate their concerns and demonstrate to the residents near the park that we want to be good neighbors. Shake their hands, smile and acknowledge their concerns. Let them know that there is a large contingency of upstanding citizens who will use the facility and respect their neighborhood!

Also, this facility is not intended to compete with private business. There will be more than enough rink time needed so that the new facility will be adequately utilized without taking business away from Rollerama…


And there’s more. Neath and some of his outstanding citizen pals wrote a letter that I got my greedy paws on… check it out:


Ms. Dianne Hoover, Director
Recreation & Parks Department
900 Truxtun Avenue, Suite 100
Bakersfield, CA 93301

Dear Ms. Hoover:

I am writing this letter to express my support for the construction of the proposed roller hockey facility at Saunders Park.

I started playing roller hockey in 1999 at the age of 34. I played at the facility on Niles Street until it closed at the end of 2002. I then began playing at Rollerama on 34th Street where I have played since. I also play ice hockey at the Ice Sports Center.

Hockey is a great sport for all ages. It combines a tremendous cardiovascular workout with intense competition. It promotes balance, hand-eye coordination and the concept of teamwork. It also creates an atmosphere of camaraderie not found in other sports.

Roller hockey is more accessible to the beginning player than ice hockey. It is easier to learn to skate on roller blades, easier to control the puck and the game is played at a slower speed. It is also more accessible to people of all economic backgrounds. The equipment is less expensive and the league fees are about half of what ice hockey costs.

At its peak, there were about 200 adults playing roller hockey in Bakersfield, and a similar number of youths. That number has dwindled in the past four years simply because there has been no place dedicated to playing the game. It will take time to rebuild interest, but there is no doubt in my mind that with a financially stable, professionally run facility in place, the sport of roller hockey in Bakersfield can reach and exceed those previous levels.

The people at Rollerama have been gracious hosts to our games for the last four years, but their primary focus continues to be, understandably, public skating. There are simply too few time slots available for the sport to grow at that facility. Also, because their facility was not designed for hockey, it does not allow the game to be played at a competitive level. The rink is far smaller than regulation, the boards were not designed for hockey and the floor surface inhibits the travel of the puck.

However, the same things that make Rollerama unsuitable for competitive hockey make it ideal for beginners and children. Far from being a situation where the City is building a facility to compete with a private business owner, I believe the two facilities could work in conjunction to the benefit of both.

Bakersfield has been without a roller hockey rink for the past four years. I hope that we are able to take advantage of this opportunity to create a first class facility that will allow the sport to grow to its previous levels and beyond.


Now, Bob’s letter isn’t enough to help change the face of roller hockey in Bakersfield. He mentions himself that more support is needed…

I’ll be there to see if there’s any roller hockey/local resident bruhaha…

This entry was posted by N.L. Belardes, on Monday, January 08, 2007. You can leave your response.