By Saturday, kids in Tyrone will have one more option when it comes to recreation.
The grand opening of the roller hockey rink located at Reservoir Park is scheduled for Saturday, May 29.
This will also be the first day the park will be open for the summer season. Hours of operation for both the park and the roller hockey rink will be 8 a.m. until dusk.
There is no charge for using the roller hockey rink. However, if participants have their own equipment such as roller blades, hockey sticks, knee and elbow pads, gloves and helmets with full face masks, they are asked to use it.
“If they don’t have equipment, we don’t want them to stay away,” said Mayor Patricia Stoner. “We have a limited amount of some equipment that we’ll let kids use.”
Some residents have already donated roller hockey equipment to the Tyrone Borough so that kids can use it at the roller hockey rink. Fifty pair of skates have been donated as well as some sticks, helmets, and some other equipment.
However, Stoner said they will gladly accept more equipment if individuals would like to donate it. Those who wish to do so may drop equipment off at the borough building or may call the borough offices for more information.
Also, two free clinics are being offered by Tyrone Borough for boys and girls who are interested in learning to play roller hockey. The clinics will be held at the roller hockey rink at Reservoir Park.
The first clinic is scheduled for Saturday, June 5 from 9 a.m. to noon. Any interested boy or girl from six to 10 years old is invited.
The second clinic is scheduled for Saturday, June 12 from 9 a.m. to noon. Any interested boy or girl from 11 to 14 years of age is invited.
After both clinics, there will be hot dogs, chips and drinks for all participants.
“The goal with the clinics is to see if we can have a youth league by fall,” added Chief Joseph Beachem.
Beachem will volunteer his time as a roller hockey coach. Officers Greg Ray and Jeff Dillig will also volunteer at the roller hockey rink.
Beachem said the larger the turnout at the clinics, the better. At least 15 kids are needed per roller hockey team.
Also, if parents are sure their kids are going to attend one of the clinics, they are asked to call the borough building so that volunteers know approximately how many are scheduled to participate.
“Like any sport, parent participation is really critical,” explained Stoner.
Any parent or individual who would like to volunteer their time to coaching or scorekeeping is asked to contact the borough office or is asked to come to one of the clinics.
The new roller hockey rink was completed in part by a grant received from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources in April of 2001. The $145,000 grant was made available to refurbish the Park Avenue Playground and to build the roller hockey rink at Reservoir Park.
This constituted half of the money for the project. The other funding came from Senator Robert Jubelirer and Representative Larry Sather. Also, some came from CDBG money, and $40,000 was taken out of the borough general fund.
“It’s just another option for our kids to have as far as recreation goes,” added Stoner.
For more information about the new roller hockey rink, to donate equipment, or to sign-up to volunteer, contact Kim at the borough building at 684-1330.
