Fans get skates on as Shropshire roller rink opens

The new roller skating rink at Maurice Chandler Sports Centre in Stoke Heath, near Market Drayton, will be the home to Newport Knights roller hockey team and is also available to other clubs to use as a training ground and open to members of the public.

Last weekend teams from the Hockey League came to test the facility and a manager said they were inundated with positive feedback.

Joint centre manager Sarah Cartwright said: "Teams came from all over the country to use the facility this weekend - even one team from South Wales.

"Everyone was really pleased with it. They all thought it was a good quality facility.

"We have lots of bookings already and we have some competitions already planned.

"Team GB In-Line Hockey will be coming this weekend and a roller derby has been organised.

"It is being booked for everything which is great.

"There has been such demand for a centre like this one in the area."

The project, which was part of a £143,000 investment to improve the centre, was part-funded by a £50,000 grant from Sport England, along with a £54,905 donation from The Armed Forces Community Covenant fund.

The centre has also installed a new artificial football pitch and insulation for the building as part of the scheme, and managers hope the rink will help bring in a regular income.

Ms Cartwright added: "We want to use the centre for some junior coaching as well.

"There are lots of people who have kindly volunteered to help out.

"There are six exits out of the facility so with general skating we could hold a lot of people.

"It is one of the biggest centres in Europe.

"Newport Nights will be using the facility twice a week for training but other teams can also use it. We have had interested from a team in Crewe and others already.

"It is such a great centre and we cannot wait for others to start using it."

The sports centre is also looking for companies to sponsor the rink, as well as provide it with a name if possible.

The rink will be in use for the whole of this week with a host of half term activities available including roller disco, roller hockey and learn to skate lessons.

For more information about the centre or upcoming events, visit www.mauricechandler.org.uk