Monday, October 24, 2016
Pittsburgh’s Steel City Roller Derby searching for new home in wake of Romp n’ Roll closing
In the wake of the announcement that the Romp n’ Roll in Glenshaw is closing its doors at the end of November, the women of Steel City Roller Derby are scrambling to find a new home.
The league, and their flagship team, the Steel Hurtin’, have called the roller rink their home for the past 10 years. The league sent City Paper a press release Monday night when CP asked about the group’s plans.
“The league is now scrambling to find a practice space from January onward,” according to the press release. “The league also puts on its monthly double-header bouts, open to the public, in the same space. That means games scheduled for early in the year are in danger of being canceled. Those include the bouts that make up the championship tournament among the league’s home teams: the Mon Monsters, Penn Bruisers and Allegheny Avengers.
“In the spring, the nationally ranked travel teams the Steel Hurtin’ and Steel Beamers normally make their season debut. But without a venue for bouts, the future of the teams’ season is in doubt.”
A release last week from Romp n’ Roll on its Facebook page and website read: “Our time is coming to a close. We have had an absolute fantastic time providing you all with a safe, family-friendly entertainment venue for the past 30 years, but Romp n’ Roll will be closing its doors November 30th. … We will sorely miss hosting all of our local athletes and their faithful fans, from hockey to women’s roller derby. …We will remain open with our normal skating schedule through November of this year and hold a “Final Farewell Skate” on Monday, November 28.”
The team has particular needs when it comes to finding an event space. SCRD needs a “75-by-108-foot open space, plus room for audience seating, the ability to lay down rope and tape for track markings, a location that is easy to get to, and [that] has ample parking.”
And while finding a new space will help soften the blow, SCRD members say they will miss the Romp n’ Roll and are “devastated” by its closing.
“I loved Romp n’ Roll because it felt like home for the past 10 years,” says Jennifer “Bonecrusher” Berardinelli, who has been with the league since it began.
Anyone with information on a new space can email the SCRD at [email protected].
The league, and their flagship team, the Steel Hurtin’, have called the roller rink their home for the past 10 years. The league sent City Paper a press release Monday night when CP asked about the group’s plans.
“The league is now scrambling to find a practice space from January onward,” according to the press release. “The league also puts on its monthly double-header bouts, open to the public, in the same space. That means games scheduled for early in the year are in danger of being canceled. Those include the bouts that make up the championship tournament among the league’s home teams: the Mon Monsters, Penn Bruisers and Allegheny Avengers.
“In the spring, the nationally ranked travel teams the Steel Hurtin’ and Steel Beamers normally make their season debut. But without a venue for bouts, the future of the teams’ season is in doubt.”
A release last week from Romp n’ Roll on its Facebook page and website read: “Our time is coming to a close. We have had an absolute fantastic time providing you all with a safe, family-friendly entertainment venue for the past 30 years, but Romp n’ Roll will be closing its doors November 30th. … We will sorely miss hosting all of our local athletes and their faithful fans, from hockey to women’s roller derby. …We will remain open with our normal skating schedule through November of this year and hold a “Final Farewell Skate” on Monday, November 28.”
The team has particular needs when it comes to finding an event space. SCRD needs a “75-by-108-foot open space, plus room for audience seating, the ability to lay down rope and tape for track markings, a location that is easy to get to, and [that] has ample parking.”
And while finding a new space will help soften the blow, SCRD members say they will miss the Romp n’ Roll and are “devastated” by its closing.
“I loved Romp n’ Roll because it felt like home for the past 10 years,” says Jennifer “Bonecrusher” Berardinelli, who has been with the league since it began.
Anyone with information on a new space can email the SCRD at [email protected].
Tags: Pittsburgh , Roller Derby , Image
