Skatetown.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kitsap Roller Sports Members Aim to Keep Kitsap Rolling Long Term
A united World Class Roller sport team has assembled and is seeking a partner of it’s community in keeping the winning tradition alive in Kitsap County.
BREMERTON,WA., June 27, 2019-A local not for profit has launched an initiative to keep roller sports alive in Kitsap county. The Skateland sale sent shock waves through teams dependent on the space and left them without a place to prepare for competitions still immediately ahead. This shakeup will displace the Bremerton Hurricanes Hockey, Bremerton Speed, Sk8town Stars Artistic Skate Club, Northwest Derby Company and countless jam skaters, roller waltzers and first timers alike. The collective teams are exploring options ranging from temporary locations aimed at keeping the community active with the goal being an improved long term home everyone. The Save the Skates initiative is the first step in the plan to keep Kitsap rolling, the group aims to raise enough community sourced funds to keep the skate stock local and use it collaboratively with local school PTAs and community organizations in mutually beneficial ways to both raise funds and keep Kitsap active. The long term goal is to use all funds raised to purchase space, available to all of the roller sports community.
Kitsap’s history is clearly in support of a roller rink as it survived recession and local expansion. This rink was still a thriving local hotspot for all ages but for the owners to step aside into the next chapter of their lives. We cannot fault them, but we can succeed them, and take the steps necessary to keep skating as a staple of this community for the foreseeable future. Without another rink to fall back on, there is a realization that something needs to be done to keep roller skating alive in Kitsap county and we found our strength in uniting efforts under one banner: Community. If you would like to support this initiative, please go to https://www.skatetown.org for more information.
“We set up the website [skatetown.org] and formed a committee of displaced skaters with the singular goal to keep Kitsap active and skating” -Shawn Cupples of Save the Skates
###
Contact:
Dezera Salas
info@skatetown.org
Phone: 360.519.7001
EXTENDED COPY
SAVE THE SKATES would like you to stay tuned for upcoming events and please spread the word! If you would like to be a part of the effort, email us at volunteer@skatetown.org. General information queries, interest in hosting a popup event, etc. please visit the website or send a mail to info@skatetown.org. Information to share about building and/or land available that may be suitable realestate@skatetown.org. There is nothing we can’t do when we work together. We love skating, we love our community, and together we can save skating in Kitsap County!
Roller rinks have always been an appreciated safe haven for this community. This was one of the only places to gather where personal effects of varied value could be left on the table undisturbed, or that parents could drop the kids off, regardless of age, and know they would be safe at all times. Time and culture may have changed the world around it, but the rink never changed, yet somehow it managed to change our lives in positive ways. The roller community has made an impact from the first time slipping on the brownies, to the first jam skate or first goal. Rinks provide a safe place for families to not only be active together but to grow closer and learn about true community; regardless of age, sex, color or creed, we are all members of the Skate community once the wheels meet wood.
Here in Kitsap County, roller teams have played a major role in the well being of its community members. Skateland has produced and trained 73 World team competitors in its thirty-three years, allowing Kitsap natives to see both country and world. The Bremerton Hurricanes have represented since 1986, multiple time Regional & National Champions in all divisions.
Artistic club Sk8Town Stars led by Dezera Salas, who has been teaching artistic figure skating for 25 years globally,while collected 6 World medals representing Team USA in both Free Skating & Pairs competition. She earned the title of World Champion in 1994,her students have had Regional, National, & Jr World Championship success. In 2018, the team earned 23 medals with 12 Regional Champions & 4 National Champions. With 2019 coming to crescendo, losing their home really hurt with National championships just a few weeks away.
In 2012 Northwest Derby Company, was formed. NDC has competed in Kitsap since 2015 and in 2019, they rose in WFTDA rankings to 292.
Speed skating rose to prominence in 1990, Coached by Marc Woolfolk and Brianna Won since 2014, they have led speedsters to Regional medals with many competing Nationally and setting records along the way.
The first goal is to raise money to fund this project with the immediate goal of securing the roller equipment and keeping it in Kitsap. The beautiful thing about skating is that with the right tools it can be done anywhere, anytime. The group is open to all types of fundraising opportunities as the only bad ones are those not sought out. Sk8town Stars 501c3 charitable not for profit organization is focused on the growth, development, and education of rollersports participants of all ages.
