Battle for the Rink: Pickleball and Roller Derby Square Off for Rink Access

By the edhat staff

Two recreational sports organizations are fighting to win the contract to manage Santa Barbara’s only roller hockey rink located at Earl Warren Showgrounds.

Santa Barbara Arena Sports, formerly named Santa Barbara Roller Hockey, is a nonprofit that has managed and leased the space since the 1990s. Its volunteer board has partnerships with roller derby, roller hockey, futsal, lacrosse, and hockey groups to use the space.

More recently, Dynamite Pickleball had joined the ranks of the diverse cast to sublease the space for seven pickleball courts.

The annual lease between Arena Sports and Earl Warren ended on June 30, and just days before the expiration date, everyone was shocked to learn Dynamite Pickleball lobbed a last minute bid to win the 2023-2024 lease contract. While the “Dynamite” proposal is unknown, it’s reportedly offering more money than Arena Sports.

Earl Warren Showgrounds has extended the decision to review the applicants and has yet to make an announcement.

Groups that sublease under Arena Sports have spoken out against the picklers for fear they won’t be offered the same space at the same rates. Members of the Brawlin’ Betties, Santa Barbara’s Roller Derby team, have issued statements against the possible change stating the space is a safe space for at-risk youth and LGBTQ adults and that might vanish under new management.

A member of the Brawlin’ Betties at the Earl Warren track (courtesy)

An online petition was created by Arena Sports stating this “potential takeover… would undermine the mission statement of Earl Warren Showgrounds and fail to serve our diverse community adequately.”

Arena Sports additionally issued a press release stating Dynamic Pickleball’s proposal would exclude “all other sports from using the space through increases in rent and renovations which will make the floor surface unusable for sports other than Pickleball.”

In an opinion letter to The Independent written by Dave and Tracy Wilcox, owners of Dynamic Pickleball, stated they plan to invest $25,000 toward rink improvements and they would maintain current rates and hours for rink users.