Space-Saving Playground

A new multiuse court at Juan Bautista de Anza Park in Calabasas can serve as a regulation-size roller hockey rink, as basketball and volleyball courts, or as a combination of all three.

The $90,000 court is a centerpiece of the $1.8-million park that celebrates its opening-- and its first official roller hockey games-- Saturday.

The court can be divided into three smaller areas by two 5-foot-high nets.

In addition to being a space saver, the court offers some extras that aren’t usually found at public facilities. It has fiberglass basketball backboards of changing height, mounted on poles that are outside the fence so athletes, especially roller hockey players, won’t slam into them. And it’s the only lighted roller hockey rink in the San Fernando Valley.

“It’s the most efficient way to do it,” said Greg Johnson, Calabasas community services director. “We wanted to serve many sports as possible, and possibly at the same time.”

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WHAT TO BRING

Roller hockey players: Required to wear their own helmets, kneepads, elbow pads and shinguards on the rink. Players must also use their own skates, sticks and pucks. The park provides the gals and has a limited number of sticks available.

Basketball and volleyball: Can be checked out for use at the park.

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ROLLER HOCKEY RINK

Dimensions: 194 by 84 feet

Number of roller hockey rinks: One regulation size

Thickness of perimeter protective border: 2 inches

How to get involved

Roller hockey leagues: Open to adults ad children 5 and older. For information, call Tri-Valley Roller Hockey League: (805) 373-6881.

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BASKETBALL COURTS

Dimensions: 84 by 50 feet

Number of basketball courts: Maximum 3 at one time

Height of basketball hoops: 6 to 10 feet

How to get involved

Basketball league: Open to adults and 5-to-12-year-olds. In coming years, the park will add leagues for teens.

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VOLLEYBALL COURTS

Dimensions: 60 by 30 feet

Number of volleyball courts: Maximum 3 at one time

Court hours: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

How to get involved

Volleyball leagues for adults: Starting in the spring. For more information about joining a basketball or volleyball league, call Juan Bautista de Anza Park: (818) 880-6461.

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Boards protect hockey skaters from hitting fence

Baskets set outside of fence, protecting players from collisions

Adjustable height basketball backboards

Removable volleyball nets

Temporary nets separate courts when needed

Night lighting extends court hours

Source: City of Calabasas. Researched by STEPHANIE STASSEL / Los Angeles Times