Hockey Club Continues Push for Roller Rink

residents will be able to enjoy free skating Sunday as part of the at Mennen Sports Arena, but they will also have the opportunity to learn about a project years in the making for a roller rink to be constructed in the township.

According to Mark Armelino, president of the Montville Hockey Association, the group has been sponsoring the town skate for the past seven years as a way to give back to the community. The event also helps the coaches try to recruit new hockey players. The Montville Hockey Association has about 50 players in the program, ages 7 to 15. 

This year, the hockey association is also hoping to educate the public at the event on the group's hope that a roller rink facility is constructed in the near future at the Metro Park area being planned by the township, off of Changebridge Road near

Director of Recreation Maryann Witty said development plans for the park and property have been in progress for several years and with several revisions made.

"The plan has been revised at least three times, just in terms of maximizing the most potential use of the property," she said.

While Witty said a roller rink is included as one of the features in the most recent plans for the property, scheduled to be reviewed by the Recreation Commission at its April 11 meeting, also included are tennis courts and an area for kids to skateboard. Other things to be considered with the plan are noise factors, Witty said, parking and the general layout of the park.

One of the things creating a "holding pattern" for the project, Witty said, is the fact that there are some wetlands on the property and the township needs to protect those areas. In order for construction to move forward, the Montville Township Committee also has to come up with a funding source for the park.

"I don't want to pop anybody's bubble, but there is no funding to build a park," Witty said.

When  was built, Witty said the township did receive Green Acres funding and that it is possible that the township could receive other grant money to help with Metro Park. She also said the township's tennis population, another group of strong advocates for the park, said there may be funding available through tennis associations to assist.

The Montville Hockey Association is attempting to help with the financial burden as well and has already purchased the rink itself to be placed in the park, or any other location in the township. Armelino said the group raised money to purchase a roller rink from Mount Holly worth $60,000 for $10,000. For nearly three years, the rink has been sitting in storage.

Armelino said the association plans to fundraise further to be able to help the township finally lay the rink in the ground. At one point, roller hockey was a booming program in the township, Armelino said, but kids grew tired of playing in parking lots, parents got sick of having to drive their kids to rinks in other towns and interest waned.

"It would certainly perk up again if we put in the roller rink," Armelino said.

Armelino said the association is eager for a final plan to be approved so that the group can help in any way possible to get a rink up and running.

"We're just looking for that stake in the ground so we can continue to do some fundraising," he said.