For 11 years, State College Area Roller Derby thrived at Penn Skates. The roller rink provided a place for derby teammates to train, grow and compete. Now, with the closure of the venue, SCAR Derby is looking for a new home to keep the league rolling.
Penn Skates held its final skate on Oct. 17 following 20 years in business, after owner Valerie Dench previously announced she had sold the building and was retiring. According to the Centre County Recorder of Deeds, the 2.94-acre Benner Township property was sold for $1.5 million to Commonwealth Charter Academy — a cyber charter school based in Harrisburg.
Rachel Gaddis, team head coach and long-time member, said of the search: “We had a wonderful, 11-year relationship with Val and Penn Skates and we are really just looking for a new place to call home … a place where we can come together every week to practice, keep growing roller derby in the Centre Region and foster a safe space for women and gender-expansive individuals to thrive.”
Over the years, the nonprofit league has been a place for more than 300 members to embrace their athleticism and contribute to their communities across the region.
Gaddis said the group is looking to partner with local businesses and venues to continue to “offer an empowering sport and a place for roller skating in the Centre Region.”
SCAR is looking for an open space with a hard floor and no columns that is 75-by-100 feet in area. The location would need to have restrooms, long-term renting options and storage space.
The roller derby season runs February through November, but the teams practice all year.
More information about the venue search, including FAQs, can be found at scarderby.com/saveourscars.
Anyone who might have a connection to a space that suits the league’s needs can reach out via email at scarderby@gmail.com.
This story appears in the Nov. 24-Dec. 1 edition of the Centre County Gazette.
