Cindy Moffitt discusses Roller Derby with the committee, with team members there for support.

Last night, the new Peterborough Roller Derby league sat down with the Peterborough City Arenas, Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee in a meeting to give them a sense of what their sport brings to the community, and to try and secure a local venue to play at. Roller Derby founder Cindy Moffitt (aka "Lucid Lou") says the games would bring revenue to the city not only in ticket sales, but from opposing teams who would need lodging and food. Plus, "girls like to shop!", adds Moffitt. Even though it is considered an "extreme sport", the current style of Flat Track Roller Derby isn't as aggressive or related to the poor image of Roller Derby of old, Moffitt conveys.

Ken Doherty, Director of Community Services, was very interested in the dimensions of the playing field as he had a few potential places in mind in the city. The main issue, however, is that Peterborough's arenas are 97 percent booked during peak hours (3 p.m. to 11 p.m.). There is potential to secure a venue down the road as the City assesses whether to add a second pad at the Memorial Centre or when future arenas are built. But that might not happen for a long time.

The committee will now convene and review the findings from the meeting and see what they can do.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

The Peterborough Roller Derby, run by Lucid Lou, has two teams, a logo (and website in development), a trailer, and the momentum of many in the city behind it. It is an empowering sport for women.

What the Peterborough Roller Derby still doesn't have is a place to play in Peterborough. We inquired with Mayor Bennett about this matter recently, and the mayor, who is aware of this new league, put us on to Ken Doherty, who is Director, Community Services Department. We asked Ken why this league is having so much trouble securing a venue to play in Peterborough, and his response was this: "Staff have advised that there just is no time available in our arenas during peak times. They're at 97% occupancy. We have encouraged Lucid to see if the Knights of Columbus Bowl on Park could meet her short term need. We have also invited her to present to the next Arenas Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee."

So for now, there is still no home for the Peterborough Roller Derby in the city—Lucid told us recently that they will play out of Douro/Dummer arena on Hwy 28. But she does still hope to find a place to play in the city. In Toronto, she is in the final stages of setting up a Junior Roller Derby program through the City of Toronto, which will be creating a space for girls 9 to 18 to learn about Roller Derby and "sportswomenship". Lucid would love to work with the City of Peterborough to set up a similar program here for this growing sport, and has now advised them as such.

Also, Peterborough Roller Derby has a fundraiser on May 7 at the Red Dog, starting at 8 pm, where they will have prizes, an auction and bands—though Lucid tells us they are looking for another band for the fundraiser. We will "pay in beer and pizza!" she says. For more info, contact her here.

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