Hockey fans upset with Kennewick plan to change area’s only outdoor rink
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- City suggested installing goals at Highlands Grange Park so it could be used for futsal.
- A Change.org petition by gathered nearly 1,200 signatures as of Tuesday afternoon.
- The city’s compromise allows for one hockey goal and one anchored futsal goal.
The Tri-City street hockey and roller derby communities are unhappy with changes Kennewick has proposed to the region’s only outdoor concrete rink.
The city’s parks and recreation department suggested installing some goals at the Highlands Grange Park court so it could be used for futsal, but some are saying they should just leave it as is. About 1,200 have already signed a change.org petition concerned about the change at the Union Street rink.
Futsal is one of the world’s fastest-growing sports. The fast-paced game pits five against five in a mini-soccer type match. The sport requires different sized goals and facility specifications than traditional street hockey or roller derby.
In the lead-up to this year’s FIFA World Cup, the Seattle Sounders professional soccer team paid for two courts to built in Pasco at Kurtzman Park. City Recreation Manager Brandon Lange pointed to those Pasco courts as partly inspiring the shift in Kennewick.
But Micah Dunn, 38, of Kennewick, who has been part of the hockey community since he “could walk,” said the change would be a “disservice” to the community.
“This space is far more than just a rink,” he wrote online, “It’s a cherished haven for the Tri-Cities hockey community, encompassing kids and adults alike, who use it to gather for camaraderie and practice during the ice hockey offseason, learn and teach hockey basics without paying for expensive ice time, and even book it to celebrate birthdays with roller hockey gatherings.”
“We need those sort of amenities, and taking those away from the community — well, where will they go?” he said.
Since Dunn started the petition, the city responded with a compromise at the Highlands Grange rink to allow for one hockey goal and one anchored futsal goal.
Lange said the decision to add the futsal option is based on rental data and feedback from park staff.
About 3.8 million people use Kennewick’s parks facilities each year, and they’re constantly weighing decisions to better meet the needs of residents and visitors.
“For me, it’s very important to ensure we’re getting the most use out of every asset we have,” he told the Tri-City Herald.
The city does not plan to substantially alter the nature, character or use of the rink, Lange said. Instead, they hope to open the facility to serve more by expanding its offerings.
Similarly, the Tri-Cities has invested in pickleball courts because of rising demand and interest from residents.
There are at least a dozen courts accessible to the public, according to Pickleheads.com. A national chain of clubs is currently constructing a new building off Interstate 82 that will feature 19 new courts.
‘Far more than just a rink’
The Highlands Grange Park court is a unique feature of the 26-acre park, and during the sunny season regularly draws teams for outdoor competition and practice.
It was built in 2002 along with the park, according to Herald archives. The 88-by-188 foot space was built with 200 yards of concrete and barriers.
The rink is a sacrosanct space for many who use it, Dunn said. He uses the spot to shoot pucks with his wife, to bond with his nephew starting his hockey journey, and as a spot to meet up with friends.
The sport encourages inclusivity and health, and helps foster a spirit of teamwork and fitness among all age groups, he said. Their hockey program regularly punches up and competes with larger metropolitan areas, often despite the region’s lackluster resources and amenities.
“It is vital for the youth and families in our area to have access to diverse recreational options, especially those like roller hockey, which is on the rise in popularity across different states,” Dunn wrote.
Lange said the space is currently used by an array of groups. In addition to competition, the WSU Master Gardener program uses the space each year for their annual spring plant sale.
Most hockey players who visit the rink only use one side of the court, he said. It would be a different story if teams were hosting games there every night.
“Certain sports go through lifecycles. It’s important to me to continue to evaluate our system. Not just this roller rink, but our park systems in general,” he said.
Lange points to recent additions, such as the Columbia River Dog Park and Vancouver Park Pump Track.
The compromise to install just one anchored futsal goal came after conversations with the hockey community. In a perfect world, Lange sees both futsal and hockey players sharing the court at the same time.
