SHORELINE, Wash. — Sunday was the end of season celebration for roller derby leagues Rat City Rollergirls and the Seattle Derby Brats. As this season came to an end, their future is in doubt as their Shoreline facility will be torn down at the end of the month.
The Shoreline facility, called the "Rat's Nest," that houses the league is going to be torn down to make room for apartments.
"This has been our home for a while and it's doubly bittersweet because we don't know where we're going next," said Michael van Falndern, the board president of the Seattle Derby Brats.
Van Flandern said the search is on for a new home, but it's challenging finding the right building for the sport's needs.
"What we're looking for is a special space, we need something that has enough clear span, something that is 85 feet wide by 118 feet long," he said.
The goal is to find one that's not only big enough, but close enough to Seattle so that all 200 athletes in the league, ages 8 - 18, could still be able to participate.
Parents of roller derby athletes said the lessons in confidence that this sport has taught their girls has made it an invaluable part of their children's lives.
"They just really blossom into strong, independent young women and you don't have to love the sport to love girls being powerful and strong," said Kelly Robson, a mother to one of the derby athletes.
Van Flandern asks that is anyone in the Seattle area who may know of a warehouse space that might be able to become the next home of roller derby, to contact the Seattle Derby Brats at info@SeattleDerbyBrats.com.
