Fort Bragg inline roller hockey rink adds to quality of life

By Tina Ray/ParaglideJuly 23, 2010

Fort Bragg inline roller hockey rink adds to quality of life
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT BRAGG, N.C. - Skating aficionados came together to mark the ribbon cutting of a new, state-of-the art inline roller hockey rink Friday on Fort Bragg.

The 10,000 square foot facility is located directly behind Cleland Ice Rink and cost nearly $200,000 to construct, said Michael Parrent, business manager at Cleland.

Colonel Stephen Sicinski, Fort Bragg garrison commander, said the facility is a unique structure that is being provided for Soldiers and their Families that further insures their quality of life is good.

Sicinski said he looks forward to using the facility.

Parrent said the rink would be available for units to use for PT, by appointment Thursdays and Fridays, from 6:30 to 8:30 a.m.

"It is true excitement to offer this. It is just one more thing in the MWR arsenal that we can offer to Soldiers and Families," Parrent said. Fort Bragg leads the Army with such a quality facility, he added.

Dan Ahern, FMWR director, said the rink is a great asset to the community.

One person who represents the community was on hand at the ribbon cutting - Dean Russell, the assistant general manager of the Fayetteville FireAntz hockey team.

The military comprises about 30 percent of the attendance population at games, said Russell, adding that it is important to support Fort Bragg in its rink expansion. The FireAntz have practiced at Cleland Ice Rink, he said.

The new inline roller hockey rink is a top-notch facility that has no equal in the southern region, added Russell.

Drake Adams, 7, said he was excited to try out the new rink, which he called awesome.

The seven-year-old, who has been ice skating four years, said he enjoys skating even more than playing video games. Adams plans to spend a lot of time at the new complex.

For Christian Roble, 11, who typically ice skates about three days a week, the rink will give him a chance to play hockey, he said.

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