Roller rink may rock up in Market Drayton
A roller hockey rink could be coming to Shropshire – if campaigners can raise the thousands of pounds needed to convert an old aircraft hangar.
Roller hockey enthusiasts believe there is scope to add a rink inside an old hangar at the Maurice Chandler Sports and Leisure Centre near Market Drayton.
They hope to secure a large percentage of the money needed from funding body Sport England - and plan to raise the rest through events.
The rink, which would feature a specially-designed plastic floor, could also be used for events such as roller discos.
The nearest roller hockey rink at the moment is in Leicestershire.
The old hangar is currently used for a variety of sports including football, bowls, basketball and badminton.
Under the plans, multi-use sports pitches would be moved either side of the rink, which would cost about £150,000 in total. The hockey rink alone would be about £65,000.
Jamie Payne, the manager of the Newport Knights roller hockey team, said the sport is growing considerably.
Mr Payne said: "There is talk about it being in the Olympics next time.
"This would be really good for people who enjoy roller hockey, and for the community.
"We would have men's roller hockey, women's roller hockey and children's roller hockey.
"Maurice Chandler have said they would be happy to have us there - we just need to find the cash.
"We are hopeful of getting some money from Sport England - but we'll have to raise some ourselves as well."
Mr Payne said he was looking for ideas of how to raise money.
He said: "We could do things like a charity wheelbarrow race, cardboard canoes, sponsored runs, anything really.
"If anyone wants to sponsor the rink or has ideas to raise money, they can contact me."
Indoor roller hockey is similar to ice hockey but is non-contact and played with four players on each team, plus a goalkeeper.
Newport Knights were formed about three years ago and play at the Midlands Roller Arena in Leicestershire and at the Flintshire Inline Hockey League in Wrexham.
The club recently secured a place in the record books by playing roller hockey non-stop for 31 hours.
A video of the game has now been sent to the Guinness Book of World Records so it can be verified.
Art Hodgson, chairman of the Maurice Chandler Sports and Leisure Centre, said the hockey rink would be a good addition to the centre.
He said the centre was hoping to receive about £100,000 from Sport England.
He said: "We have grant applications in and we also have some money we can use in our accounts.
"It would be a bit of a niche for us because the nearest hockey rink is miles away.
"We'd need to put in a new floor, re-shuffle things a bit and put up boards around the sides.
"Hopefully we can have it in place by the start of the new football season."
Maurice Chandler Sports and Leisure Centre has been open since the 1960s and is run by a volunteer management committee.
Anyone who wants to get involved can contact Mr Payne on 07870600920.
