The Rated PG Roller Derby League is looking for a new practice space.
Covid did a number on their numbers and because restrictions wouldn’t allow them to practice they lost a lot of members who moved on to other things.
Thursday night there’s a try-it-you’ll-like-it event at the Roll-A-Dome from 7 to 9 p.m. to encourage more participants to join in the roller skating fun.
President of the non-profit society, Jen Herkes, said not only are they looking for roller skaters but officials, too.
“We’re in the rebuilding stage,” Herkes said. “We are trying to grow our league back up again. Because our numbers are low right now we can no longer afford to practice at the Roll-A-Dome. Prices there have increased fairly substantially over the last few years so what we need as a league is some stability and affordability. We’re looking for a place we can call home so we can build the league back up so we can then start participating in the bigger roller derby community once again. Before Covid we were traveling internationally down to the states and playing games down there and we held annual tournaments here in Prince George.”
Back in the good old days they’d see as many as six teams from western Canada attend their events.
“At this point if we can’t practice, we certainly can’t do that,” Herkes said. “So to start we need somewhere to practice. It’s not like we want a free place but we need a place that’s a little more affordable.”
There are two segments of the league – one for youth and one for adults. The youth skating program is for those between the ages of five and 18.
“Part of the challenge of moving out of the Roll-A-Dome is not having access to the rental skates that we used to have,” Herkes said. “So we’re also looking for donations of skates that could accommodate youth skaters – especially for the kids because that’s a huge barrier to people participating.”
Quad skates are used for roller derby – four wheeled skates – you know the ones in all the old 50s movies about going to the local rink in the middle of the summer to hold hands during the last skate with your crush? Those are the ones!
“We’re also looking for warehouse space in town if there’s someone who has some empty space that they are willing to rent out on a short-term basis - that’s what we’re looking for right now,” Herkes said.
The members of the league pay club fees and to raise a bit more money they are hosting a fundraiser at the Westwood Pub Oct. 29. It’s a pre-Halloween party that starts at 6 p.m. and it’s $10 to get in. There are prizes for best costumes (roller skates not recommended.)
For tonight’s try it event at the Roll-A-Dome everyone 18 years and older is invited to come out to roller skate, get tips from veteran skaters and see if they’d be interested in the sport as a competitor or as an official if full-contact is not their jam.
For more information or to donate space or skates email ratedpgrollergirls@hotmail.com.
