By Chris Thomson | posted on February 15, 2018
ON THE heels of last Saturday’s launch of Albany Roller Derby’s new track, The Weekender can reveal the league has sought a licence to serve alcohol at its Gledhow HQ.
Kendell Smith, who on January 25 submitted the licence application to the Department of Racing, Gaming and Liquor, said the planned bar would open on “limited days” to cater for quiz nights, roller hockey and events such as birthday parties.
“It would work much like a football club or a bowls club,” she said.
“Those people that are coming would need to be a member or their guests would need to sign a book like members and guests of those clubs would.”
Ms Smith, who works in Albany’s hospitality industry, stressed that alcohol would be served in a designated area away from the track, and nobody would be allowed to drink while skating.
Roller discos, ultimate frisbee contests, basketball, and rock-climbing are on the cards for the new venue.
“If the bar could benefit them and we saw no risks involved with combining the bar and those sports then we’d be keen to do so,” she said.
The league’s new track is in a light industrial area on Roundhay Street.
“We did a letter drop around the area this morning,” Ms Smith said of the league’s efforts to inform locals of the planned bar.
“There’s not a lot out there, a few businesses, the wreckers, Grande Food, and a couple of houses in our radius.
“Everyone was so positive.”
She said club membership was open to anyone, and the bar would help to broaden Albany’s mix of social opportunities.
“Hopefully we’ll sign up some new members who would like to have a drink and play a bit of sport,” she said.
“I’m not a skater myself.
“Most people skate, but if you don’t want to that’s fine.”
Attached to the league’s licence application is an alcohol management policy and league code of conduct.
The league has already received a Section 40 approval from the City of Albany, which is usually the first bureaucratic hurdle to be cleared before obtaining a licence from the state department.
The licence application says the bar’s target clientele will be aged 18 to 65.
“We provide a positive recrea- tional space for the community of Albany, with occasional games including the potential to bring tourists to watch,” the applica- tion says.
“The addition of a licence will help to build the social aspect of the sporting league.”