Montreal roller derby looking for new home after Mile End arena set to close for renovations
Roller derby in Montreal is facing an existential crisis after the Saint-Louis Arena in the Mile-End where skaters have been rocking the flat track for almost two decades is closing for renovations.
Leann Brown is one of those who has skated on the track for years.
"What I love about roller derby is that it is so inclusive and accessible," she said. "I am in my 40s, and I am still able to compete at a high level.
For 18 years, the jammers and blockers in Montreal have been drawing crowds to the arena.
There is also a junior league, which will also need to find a new home during the renovations.
"They also practice at the same place that we do," said Brown. "It's really nice to be able to collaborate with them, so they will also be looking for a new home."
Lowlife MTL Roller Skate Shop co-owner Tracey Mattinson said the ripple effect of the arena closing can't be ignored.
"In finding a new space without the support of the city, it's very difficult," she said. "We are tied greatly to the league, and if there's an impact to the league, there's definitely going to be an impact to our business."
A City of Montreal spokesperson said their sports department is in contact with the roller derby league to find a solution.
That help, Brown and Mattinson said, would be a game-changer.
"It's a women's sport. It's a queer sport," said Mattinson. "It is very open, very accepting to a lot of those marginalized communities, which a lot of sports can be more difficult to have an accepting community like that. And so I think it's important for sports like roller derby to have a space and for the city to recognize us."
"Finding space for community is important," said Brown.
The league needs to find a space before the end of August or it's game over for Montreal Roller Derby.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Police ID mom, daughter killed in Old Montreal; video shows person break into building before fatal fire
Police released the identities of the mother and daughter who were killed after a fire tore through a 160-year-old building in Old Montreal on Friday.
Tropical Storm Milton forms in Gulf of Mexico, could intensify as a hurricane threatening Florida
Tropical Storm Milton has formed in the Gulf of Mexico. It is located 220 miles (355 kilometres) north-northeast of Veracruz, Mexico.
'I screamed in shock and horror': Family faces deadly Vancouver hit-and-run driver during sentencing
The sentencing of the man who pleaded guilty in the deadly hit-and-run in Kitsilano two years ago began on Friday.
Frequent drinking of fizzy beverages and fruit juice are linked to an increased risk of stroke: research
New data raises questions about the drinks people consume and the potential risks associated with them, according to researchers at Galway University in Ireland, in partnership with Hamilton’s McMaster University.
Inter Miami star Lionel Messi draws a crowd for arrival at Toronto's BMO Field
Argentine star Lionel Messi was on the bench to start Inter Miami CF's game in Toronto on Saturday.
Northwestern Ont. woman charged with arson with disregard for human life
A 30-year-old northwestern Ontario woman has been charged with arson following a structure fire Thursday night, police say.
Looking for cheap flights for the holidays? Here are some tips to remember
Travelling on a budget can be stressful, but there are ways you can ensure you're getting the best deal on flights as the holiday season approaches.
A French judge in a shocking rape case allows the public to see some of the video evidence
A French judge in the trial of dozens of men accused of raping an unconscious woman whose now former husband had repeatedly drugged her so that he and others could assault her decided on Friday to allow the public to see some of the video recordings of the alleged rapes.
The Menendez brothers case is not the only one that's been affected by a true crime documentary
Being an armchair detective has turned into an American obsession, fueled by an abundance of true-crime content in podcasts and television series. But some of those projects have sparked actual legal developments.