By Grace Jones | posted on February 9, 2018
IT HAS taken more than two months, but Albany Roller Derby League’s The Track will officially open its doors to its new home on Saturday.
League President Natalie Jarvis said the opening of The Track and introducing Albany to roller derby has had its challenges.
“We started with the idea to find our own venue after it was getting increasingly harder to find a place for us to practice and have matches,” she said.
“We aren’t a sport that has been around for years and has heaps of supporters. It’s been tough.”
Ms Jarvis said The Track will be available for community and sport groups to hire out for games and functions.
“Since we’re in an industrial area there’s not really sound issues, so we’re more than happy to hire out The Track for people to use,” she said.
“People can run classes here, start gym groups and hire it out for bands and corporate functions. It’s open for use.”
With the help of a Gofundme page, Ms Jarvis and the league have been able to raise more than $4,000 to put towards the finishing touches of their skating venue.
“We’d still love some more funding. Every cent helps us get The Track up and running,” she said.
“Our Gofundme page will be open for a few more days if people want to donate money.
“We’ll be accepting donations on the Open Day, and people will be able to buy our merchandise as well.”
Celebrations at the brand new track on Roundhay Road in Gledhow will start with an official ribbon cutting ceremony at 4pm.
“We’ll have a roller disco, roller hockey games and heaps of food and drinks to buy,” Ms Jarvis said.
“Then at 7pm we’ll have our first rec league game for people to watch between the Storm Fronts and Cold Snaps.”
