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Laguna Hills residents urge council to preserve roller‑hockey rink, propose shared‑use pickleball design
Summary
Two speakers representing South Coast Roller Derby urged Laguna Hills to avoid converting the community center roller-hockey rink into permanent pickleball courts and instead adopt a shared‑use design with removable nets and a skatable surface; they said the rink hosts programs, generates revenue and has more than 800 signatures backing preservation.
Kaylee Van Hise, president of South Coast Roller Derby, told the Laguna Hills City Council on Aug. 26 that the league has called the community center roller rink home for 13 years and asked the city to redesign proposed CIP 5-14 as a shared-use facility rather than installing permanent pickleball courts. “We are not opposed to pickleball,” Van Hise said. “What we are asking is that you consider a shared use design with removable nets so that both pickleball and roller derby can continue to thrive in this space.”
A second public commenter, who identified as SJ (coach Beater Pan), echoed Van Hise and described prior local examples where permanent conversion of multiuse spaces left roller-derby and skating groups without places to practice. SJ urged the council to place a future agenda item to study alternatives and suggested existing indoor gym space or portable equipment as possible solutions.
The speakers said the roller-derby league contributes financially and socially to the city: Van Hise said the nonprofit rents the rink multiple nights per week, runs youth programs and has gathered “over 800 signatures” asking for a skatable, shared design. SJ emphasized that the rink could be updated and repaired for shared use rather than demolished for a single purpose.
City staff and council did not take action on CIP 5-14 during public comment; Mayor Sweeney said the council could not respond directly in that moment but invited staff to follow up with the speakers. Councilmember Wheeler later asked that a dual‑use option be placed on a future agenda for formal consideration and a motion to do so was seconded.
The issue is likely to return during budget and CIP discussions. If the city proceeds with permanent courts in CIP 5-14, the speakers asked that the design preserve roller‑derby access with removable nets and a skatable surface so both activities can coexist.
