‘Without a home’: Skaters scramble to keep roller sports alive as final centre closes

Champion roller skaters say they’ve exhausted all options in finding a new facility after the last private skating rink in Brisbane closed.

Brisbane Kings Inline Hockey club players Daine Arthur, Georgia Watts, Jackson Stanke, Kayla Arthur and Julian Kitson. Picture: Brad Fleet

Champion roller skaters say they’ve exhausted all options in finding themselves a new facility after the last private skating centre in Brisbane closed its doors this month.

In a last-ditch effort to keep roller sports alive in the region, displaced clubs have sent a submission to Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner pleading for help to find a home.

Brisbane Kings Inline Hockey parent Ray Crampton said the clubs had reached out to the managers of several sites including at Hamilton’s Northshore precinct and Hanger 7 at Brisbane Airport to no avail.

“There’s nothing really suitable and the commercial market is very active at the moment so it’s hard to find a suitable site quickly,” Mr Crampton said.

“We’ve reached the end of our journey of trying to source a facility ourselves, in that we've contacted most commercial real estate agencies in Brisbane, we’ve contacted a few sporting groups and we’ve reached out to the minister.”

Stafford Skate Centre closed on September 12 after losing its lease to major franchise World Gym, which is expected to create one of the biggest gyms in southeast Queensland.

The agreement, finalised in April, has left inline hockey, roller hockey, speed skating and artistic skating groups without a facility to train and compete at.

“They’re all homeless,” Mr Crampton said.

Brisbane Kings Inline Hockey club players Daine Arthur, Georgia Watts, Jackson Stanke, Kayla Arthur and Julian Kitson took to netball courts on Tuesday after the last skating centre closed its doors. PICTURE: Brad Fleet

President of the Brisbane Kings Inline Hockey Club David Arthur launched a GoFundMe page at the weekend seeking assistance to find a new facility.

Players have represented Queensland and Australia, and compete in world championships across the globe.

Mr Arthur sent a submission to Cr Schrinner on Monday regarding their pursuit after the Lord Mayor confirmed on social media that his team would look into the matter - despite it not being a council issue.

“The South East Queensland Junior Inline Hockey League comprises three clubs and if we are unable to find a home for the Brisbane Kings to train and host games, this club will possibly fold,” Mr Arthur said in his proposal.

“It will also mean the end of the Junior League, as a competition cannot be run with only two teams.

“Finding a location for the Brisbane Kings club has far-reaching consequences for children both in and outside of the Brisbane catchment.”

Brisbane Kings Inline Hockey has provided council with drawings of the rink required to keep its club going.

The council on Tuesday did not confirm whether it was currently exploring options however While council is not responsible for privately owned facilities, Civic Cabinet Chair for Community, Arts and Night-time Economy Vicki Howard said it was open to discussion given the disappointment in the community.

“... I know many residents and sporting clubs are disappointed and want a new place to go and skate,” she said.

“Stafford Skate Centre was privately owned and managed.

“There are several indoor and outdoor multi-use hard court facilities which can be used for roller sports in the nearby area.

“If any sporting clubs want to discuss using council facilities I encourage them to contact us to see if we can help find them a solution.”

Mr Arthur told The Courier-Mail on Tuesday he had already heard feedback from members that they feared their children would lose their passion for roller sports if a new facility wasn’t found soon.

“Beyond inline hockey- the Stafford Skate Centre provided a safe place out of the sun and of a night time for kids, particularly kids who are at that age where they are thinking about going out on the streets,” he said.

“It kept them off the streets and engaged in a fun, safe activity and now they don’t have a home to do that anymore.

“And as the say, idle hands …”

Stafford Skate Centre was the last rollerskating rink in the Brisbane City Council area, with the closest rinks at Albany Creek and Browns Plains.