Roller Hockey League Sign-Ups for Kids Start at New Rink

The city’s first roller hockey rink will open today at the Boys and Girls Club.

City Recreation Director Pat Barry said the rink will be a boon for local youth, who can join leagues immediately, and for the general public, which will be able to use the facility 20 hours a week.

“It’s a tremendous opportunity,” Barry said. “We foresee that it will get a lot of use in the community.”

The rink is an outgrowth of an extensive effort by the city to find a place for a skateboard park. Though city officials researched a variety of possible sites, none was ultimately acceptable, Barry said.

One obstacle was the expense, which Barry projected at about $100,000 plus the cost of the land. Also, Barry said, some residents thought that a hockey facility was a better option because the sport is supervised and “a little more family oriented.”

Boys and Girls Club directors approached the city and offered to help supply a rink at their center, 1085 Laguna Canyon Road. The city pitched in $20,000, and the R.C. Baker Foundation gave $10,000 to make up the total needed to build a rink, said Kim Maxwell, the club’s executive director.

Barry said providing such a facility is one way to keep some local youngsters closer to home.

“We know there are a lot of kids who left Laguna to play on roller hockey teams, and this is an opportunity to stay in town and be able to play the same sport,” he said.

Today’s opening from 9 to 10:30 a.m. will include league sign-ups and a 10 a.m. exhibition game.

Children from kindergarten through high school may participate. The fee is $65 for club members and $100 for nonmembers. League sign-ups will continue through Feb. 28.

All skaters must provide their own equipment and pay $25 a year to join the USA In-line Hockey League to meet insurance requirements.

Information: (714) 494-2535.