Save The Roll-A-Dome Meeting Tonight
Margaret Jackson drums up support for Roll-A-Dome at Saturday’s Downtown Winter Fair. Photo 250 News
Prince George, B.C. – A meeting is being held tonight in an effort to get a non-profit society set up to prevent the Roll-A-Dome in Prince George from vanishing into extinction.
Spokesperson Margaret Jackson says “the Roll-A-Dome has had an offer and we, as users of the dome, want to save and preserve our heritage and the place we call our second home. It started out as a Roll-A-Dome in Red Rock then moved here. The building itself was built in 1952 as a curling rink, and I think it was late ‘60’s, early ‘70’s it became the roller rink.”
Jackson says “Al Work has been there pretty much since its inception and he is actually helping us propose a non-profit organization structure. Everything is ready to go (and) a president and vice-president is what I’m looking for.”
Work, the majority shareholder of a group of about ten private owners of the Roll-A-Dome, confirms that he has had a purchase offer. He says many of the shareholders are now getting to an age at which they are looking at retirement and want to divest themselves of their involvement in the facility. He says he would like to see a non-profit society take over the running of it.
Jackson says “there are no bookings after June (2016) so the current proposal that they’re dealing with, we as users groups and citizens of Prince George have until June to put something together to present to the group that currently own the property.”
“We have a web page and we’re putting links to the organizations that use it so people will start to see how much it actually is being used. The dry grads, the weddings, sports events, Hartley Miller has his Masters floor hockey guys here, the Wellness North Expo is there, Hospice House Antique Fair is there, South Fort George Community Association does their trade shows there. It is so well used and people don’t even know.”
Jackson says one main problem is easy access to the dome. “Unfortunately the city, in its lack of foresight, has sold off that access so we have only one access in and out which is under construction and is making it difficult for everyone. But we’ve gone through difficulties before, so we know we can do this. So my thought is, if New York can keep and preserve Central Park, then Prince George should be able to keep and preserve their Recreation Place facilities.”
Jackson says she fully understands the land the Roll-A-Dome sits on is prime real estate but believes the facility has historical significance and should be kept. “The value of the land is $1.5 million, it’s expensive property. However, if the City can do $1.5 million for a part-time skateboard park that’s only used during the summer, $1.5 (million) shouldn’t be that difficult for a non-profit to be able to approach the city, provincial and federal levels for government grants.”
“I know the (current) owners personally, they are very much in favor of local people doing local activities and they’re very health-oriented.” She adds that the user groups are all very actively involved in the effort to keep the facility in operation.
Jackson is inviting everyone interested in saving the Roll-A-Dome to tonight’s meeting. She says many people have come forward with pictures and other items that document the history of the building and they’ll be on display.
She acknowledges the short notice but adds “if anybody wants to see or have this facility for their children and grandchildren they need to be there. If not we do have an email, savethedome@gmail.com
Jackson says the plan is to get the non-profit society up and running as soon as possible. “We have a lawyer that’s going to volunteer to do the legal work, and I am looking for executive-quality people to be the president, vice-president, secretary or treasurer. We’re looking for strategic people to move forward with this proposal.”
She says time is of the essence. “I’ve heard rumblings for years now but just recently heard that the rumblings aren’t just rumblings now, there is something that has to be dealt with. We’ve been advised that if we’re going to get a non-profit together we’d better do it now.”
“So we have opened up our bank account, we’ve got a membership club going, we have people volunteering to do electrical work, welding, construction upgrades, all of those people coming on board.” Regarding the inside of the building she says “if you look past the aging, it’s beautiful. If somebody was able to get up in the ceiling and sand those rafters down, those are gorgeous. So to keep what we have, it’s priceless.”
The meeting at the Roll-A-Dome begins at 7 o’clock tonight.
Comments
Good luck but probably a waste of time
Unfortunately, I think it’s time to move on. There is plenty of space to hos the events listed elsewhere.
This is prime land that almost everyone that visits the city sees. Currently this building does not give a good first impression. Would love to see something there on a grander scale, something that gives the impression of a city, not a town.
“Unfortunately the city, in its lack of foresight,”
Does one expect anything else from this city?
Nice to have facility, but in the wrong location. Time to move forward, change is inevitable.
I’m afraid I agree with most of the comments above. It’s time to move on. If 10 shareholders that have owned this facility for 30 years can’t make it look like a nice property than I’m afraid getting a non-profit to look after it makes even less sense.
Let the private owners sell it and let a new owner put something nice up. This is prime real estate and we need to showcase our city.
Just imagine if this building sat right in front of UNBC…..talk about an eyesore. I bet people would be calling for it to be tore down by the thousands.
Sure the roller dome had some good days. But having a city that we can all be proud of that looks nice to outsiders is something our citizens want. In my opinion, there are a lot more people that would be in favour of a beautiful PG, than something that saw it’s glory days back in the 1970s and 1980s.
Together with all the broken down fencing and rubble piled up next door this barracks style building is a totally embarrassing eyesore!
They got more than half a century of use out of it! It is time to move on!
Sell it please, the place in a eyesore. The owner can take his profits and build a new facility somewhere more appropriate, perhaps partner with the YMCA.
Lots of comments about **moving on**,. The obvious question is move on to where??.
Not likely that anyone would build a roller dome anywhere else in this town.
Most of the events that are presently held in the roller dome could be held in the under utilized Civic Centre. Perhaps this is an option.
I always thought that the building was privately owned but the land was owned by the Golf Course or the City. Hmmmm.
If you look on the City Website you will see they have a future capital project called the Masse Loop. This road appears to run between the golf course building and the roll a dome and connect with Masse North of Pine Centre Mall. Perhaps having a through road from Ferry to Masse is what makes the property desirable.
I don’t know how someone even gets insurance on the place, it wouldn’t meet any modern building codes for that sort of human occupancy. Grandfather clause I suppose. It is a total eyesore on a very visible corner of our community. Anything, even an empty parking lot would be a huge improvement.
I had many good times at the Roller Dome in the mid to late 80’s. But unfortunately the building has not been up-kept. It is now an eyesore, and probably needs too much work to be worth saving. For nostalgia reasons, it will be sad to see it go, but the time has come to put something nicer in its place.
maybe another car lot would fit
Sorry Margaret, you’re pushing a snowball uphill on this one. I had some great times at the Roll-a-Dome in my junior high years and even remember skating down Ospika in the mid-80s (not blading, but good old 2X2 roller skates)…but like countless others have said it’s time to move on.
The nostalgic kid in us always wants to hang on to our old toys but you are basically trying to save Blockbuster Video when everyone has moved on to Netflix. Roller skating was a 70’s phenom…time for something in that spot that will service the new millenium.
Time to move on,
in line skates, skateboard parks are where it is. not the old roller skates. Sorry, but the roller dome is more purposeful as a party location than a roller dome.
Hope it sells on the condition it gets torn down.
I hope the city does not buy the building. otherwise the city will need to invest another million dollars to insulate it, and make it energy efficient. We don’t need the city to own more property.
It’s sad to say but majority of everyone above is right, the building has to go. I’ve been here for 3 years now and the intersection of Hwy 16 and 97 needs to look more modern and with the new hotel plans and car dealerships on that property, it’s time. We have to stop living in the 80s and move on because that’s what memories are for. Gotta do the right thing for today not yesterday.
what an eyesore, let’s put up another car dealership instead.
Posted on Monday, December 21, 2015 @ 8:47 AM by sgsc with a score of -1
what an eyesore, let’s put up another car dealership instead.
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LOL, your sarcasm was lost on some.
Where are the skateboarders going to go in the winter time? This is a great venue for them. I’d rather see them riding their boards here then hanging at the back doors of the mall smoking. Ball hockey seems to be rather popular here as well, we need to encourage more exercise, not less.
I have it all figured out… change the name to the PAC and then tear it down. that way the 7 people in town who want a PAC would have had one..and the eyesore would be gone.
I’ve seen the financials, that building and associated business next door, does well in yearly revenue. Sorry, but you have to put money into that building one day, instead of hiding all those profits….
There are many events at this venue through out the year. Often they are the smaller, specialized events like the gun show, roller derby, ball hockey. These events all have troubles securing a venue at a rate that is affordable.
I attend this venue 3 to 4 times a year for just these events. This venue is needed, but the current condition of the property is a major detractor.
I propose, that if a developer wants that property, then an in-kind contribution may work. The developer could secure an acceptable and appropriate property, then exchange that new venue for this desired premium site.
Every body wins, and the new asset should accrue from there. A little community soliciting for a building and we are done.
Sometime the obvious solution is the right solution.
Tick tock – time is running out for the roll-a-dome.
I agree with most of these comments. I had a lot of run at the roll-a-dome as a kid, but the reality of today is going to number its days.
Highway frontage is worth too much now, and all the developments around it will continue to apply pressure. It’s an eye sore of a building, and it doesn’t stand up to everything else along that corridor.
They could have re-invested into the building over the years, but its fairly obvious that wasn’t a priority. Take the 1.5M offer, and walk away.
This not-for profit move is Al Work trying last ditch efforts to continue operating the facility. He is a shareholder but he also operates it. When the other investors decide that it is time, he will fight it because he wants to keep his “job”. It’s old, cold and on an important corridor. It needs to be knocked down and sold. If Mr. Work wants to continue in business, go find another location and build something. He won’t because it wouldn’t make economic sense and neither does the current roll-a-dome for all the reasons listed above.
Sorry, but its an old tired, inefficient building. If the city wants buildings like that, there are plenty enough out there to pick from.
Will the community loose something when that old girl gets torn down. Yes it will, But new memories can be made every day. Its time to let it go.
The prevailing mentality above is pretty disappointing. I don’t use the facility, so tear it down. It’s ugly, remove it! Personally, I think the ridiculous and gaudy Northland Dodge facility is ugly, but this is a free world. Everyone can share an opinion.
This building is still heavily used by many different user groups. Half the building is occupied by a very popular company that every child I know loves, bouncy castles are the best! The other half is used by roller derby, ball hockey leagues, indoor soccer, etc. I know we are supposed to be angry and negative in these comment sections but come on.
“The prevailing mentality above is pretty disappointing. I don’t use the facility, so tear it down. It’s ugly, remove it! Personally, I think the ridiculous and gaudy Northland Dodge facility is ugly, but this is a free world. Everyone can share an opinion.
This building is still heavily used by many different user groups. Half the building is occupied by a very popular company that every child I know loves, bouncy castles are the best! The other half is used by roller derby, ball hockey leagues, indoor soccer, etc. I know we are supposed to be angry and negative in these comment sections but come on. ”
If the ownership cared about the building, they would have re-invested at some point. LA promotions which has the children’s play area is a terribly run company as well. I’ve had a couple issues with them in the past.
Things change. There used to be a drive-in theatre where costco is, and hell, there was even an airport where the golf and curling club is now. Cities expand and change. It’s part of growing pains.
MattP, do you think the prevailing opinions are negative because you don’t like them? The fact, not opinion, is that the building has not been maintained, and is probably more of a liability than an asset. Generally commenters are not saying that they didn’t think the businesses were good businesses, used by many, but that the building has passed it’s use by date. If the owners had kept it up better, I doubt this would be an issue.
`’what an eyesore, let’s put up another car dealership instead.’
I fully agree! Another modern clean and well lit car dealership (Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Lexus, Jaguar or other high class) would be a real attraction! Then add the new hotels which are going to be coming soon! Bingo! A 21st century showcase entrance to the city!
Car dealerships are the worst of the worst. Anyone who thinks that car sales lots have some beauty obviously has a perception problem.
The Prince George Golf and Curling Club building is at least as old as the roller rink, and not in much better condition. It is hiding behind a coat of blue paint, but in fact it is pockmarked with woodpecker holes, and is used by the swallows for nesting. Perhaps those who have all the ideas as to how people should run their business’s would like to tell the PGG&CC to spruce up the building or move on. We could even go so far as to say that golf is a sunset industry, and has been replaced by people who have their faces stuck in their phones as they stumble down the street, or have soup on their chin because they missed their mouth because they were reading a text .
Or perhaps we should tell the Cougars to move on. The interest in hockey seems to have declined in this town, if the latest figures on attendance at Cougar games is any indication. I doubt that the Cougars generate any money for the City, even though they tie up a tremendous amount of space at the CN Centre.
What should go there? Another car dealership? I can’t think of one brand that would go there. It’s a great corner at a very busy intersection but have you ever tried to get into the Casino from the wrong way?
The PG Golf club is by no means a well run operation. They used to think that their $hit didn’t stink. Now that other courses opened up, it shows the terrible way that these places are operated. Anyone asking why the owners of the dome never put money back into the building, there were always 2 difference schools of thought. One was a group trying to keep a place open and another group trying to invest in the place to make a return on the sale of the lands. Anyone in either of those camps will have different ideas but the same result. Don’t spend money on it. You were either selling the land to make your money or you saw the writing on the wall and the place wasn’t long for this world.
Does Prince George need a facility like this? That’s the debate. Indoor soccer needs to be played on larger pitches with fake turf as an absolute minimum. There are still a small number of players that will use the floor for an indoor game called Futsal but that’s a small number. One day there will be an indoor soccer facility that will offer players of all ages an opportunity to train and play on a regulation sized pitch indoors. The roll-a-dome would need to re-invent itself and also play catch up for all of those years of maintenance neglect.
I can’t see that happening even with a not-for-profit society.
Palopu,
Yes, cell phones are the reason for golf not doing well… I think you’re completely out of town.
As for the cougars, the crowds are coming back. When you have terrible ownership for years and years, it will take time. Last Cougar game was approx 5600 in attendance. They’re also seeing almost double the attendance when compared to 2012-13.
I was one of those guys who vowed to never go to a Cougars game until Brodsky and his goofy son-in-law left. They did and I went back. Never disappointed.
Unfortunetly, Im going to have to agree with the majority, its an eye sore, its time to move on and make that corner (one the busiest intersections we have) a nice scenery to drive into Prince George. I believe any new building would look so much better there.
I don’t think I see one comment about Roller derby. Have any of you ever gone to the Roller Dome to see the Rated PG Roller Girls? Have you ever seen the Brats Team (teenage girls), who have travelled to various locations for tournaments?
Roller Derby is alive and well in Prince George and has been making a revival as a sport since the early 2000’s as a woman-organized amateur sport. Here is a bit of background as I know it. Roller derby is a contact sport played by two teams of five members roller skating in the same direction around a track. Game play consists of a series of short match ups (jams) in which both teams designate a jammer who scores points by lapping members of the opposing team. The teams attempt to hinder the opposing jammer while assisting their own jammer—in effect, playing both offense and defense simultaneously. Roller derby is played by well over 1,250 amateur leagues worldwide and it is gaining steam!
A large number of contemporary roller derby leagues are amateur, self-organized and all-female, and were formed in a DIY spirit by relatively new roller derby enthusiasts. I remember being surprised that roller derby teams are typically composed of members of various social strata such as students, stay-at-home mothers, lawyers, and nurses.
I have only been to a few games, but I can tell you they were amazing! Where will these wonderful women and teens go if the rink is torn down? Where will their beloved fans go to cheer them on? This sport is growing each year, and I would like the city to come up with a plan that takes them into account.
So my thought is, if New York can keep and preserve Central Park, then Prince George should be able to keep and preserve their Recreation Place facilities.
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Now that’s a bit hyperbolic I think! A better example would be the Montreal Forum, except for the fact that they tore it down. Maybe the original Yankee Stadium would be better? Boston Garden? Geez, I’m not doing too good here, LOL :)
‘Car dealerships are the worst of the worst. Anyone who thinks that car sales lots have some beauty obviously has a perception problem.
The Prince George Golf and Curling Club building is at least as old as the roller rink, and not in much better condition.’
Those car dealerships sure are an improvement over the empty lots full of weeds, garbage and plastic bags fluttering from bushes in the ditches, unless people prefer to have that beautiful kind of thing decorating the busy highways leading up to the intersection! The days of the Golf and Curling Club are probably numbered as well if developers put down some real money! Fortunately normal progress will overtake those who think otherwise. Sometimes it just takes a little longer!
There is a complete disregard for those children, youth and adults who access the Dome’s facilities right now. There are several not for profit organizations that use the Roll-A-Dome because it is low cost. Affordable venues are not available in Prince George. Especially for small groups. Those people who participate in sports that are not as popular as soccer or hockey are being penalized. And as for the Roll-A-Dome being an eyesore, I’d be prouder of living in a city where its inhabitants take precedence over esthetics. The sense of community in Prince George is disappointing.
Sorry James but the lack of investing in a new age modern city is whats disappointing…
You must not get out much at all, I cant think of any other city so far behind and dissappointing on all the old buildings etc that need to go. Look at surrey! Even what they used to call ‘hells kitchen’ there is now nice and beautiful.
There is places to move to for recreation purposes and PG is so much cheaper then most towns for the newer facilities prices to play there.
That is the main hub intersection of our city and its a total eye sore! We need this city to catch up in a bad way.
Dont fundraise to keep this facility then, fundraise for these small groups you talk about then.
Time to go in a bad way, it almost embarrases me when out of town friends/family have to drive by it being the first buildings they see.
Good memories but time to move onto what others have done 10 plus years ago..
“The building itself was built in 1952 as a curling rink,”
Does anyone know if this statement is accurate ? The building sure looks a lot like an American WW-2 airplane hangar, and they Yanks did have an airstrip at that location.
Lets buy it than as taxpayers we can pay for it to be dismantled at an astronomical cost so our taxes are justified when the city inflates them once again.
PG John. The reference to cell phones was made tongue in cheek although it is true to some extent.
As for the attendance at the Cougar games. Lets not try to hide the facts. The highest attendance games were the first game of the year, and the Teddy bear toss. This has always been the case so don’t use these games as a measure. In fact Fridays game prior to the Saturday Teddy Bear toss only had 2691 fans in attendance.
The balance of games this year (16) gives us an average of 2600 fans per game. So substantially better than previous years, but still a long way from the 3000 fans that they supposedly need to break even.
Head out of the sand please.
Come now Palopu. I know you hate the Cougars but last years attendance was an average of 2,852 fans per game. The year previous was 1,693.
To date they are running 51,398 fans over 18 games or 2,855.444 fans per game. 3,000 fans includes all games.
Now hold on to your hat Palopu, this is where it gets interesting – last year in the first 18 games they had a total of 50,861 fans attend. Last year the average attendance up to the teddy bear toss was 2,825.611 fans per game yet they ended the year at 2,852 fan per game average or 27 more per game. Add 27 more per game to this years attendance of 2,855 and by rights they should end the season with 2,882 average. My guess is if they stay where they are in the standings we will break 3,000 this season.
18 home games to go, see you there!
The kids had fun at the fancon game, I hope they have more themed events outside the hockey games. Thanks for the free arcade Game Quest! What would have made the night would have been a kids costume judging not just young adults but c’est la vie
The roller dome is too iconic to PG’s history to just let it go. I see it as a well used venue still and don’t support anything that would lead to its demise without a suitable replacement.
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