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- calendar_today October 11, 2026
Burnaby Implements Ban on Inline Skates at New Sports Boxes
Burnaby’s two newest multi-use sports boxes, the Sohen Gill and Jack Crosby facilities, have recently prohibited the use of inline skates. This decision has sparked frustration and concern within the local roller hockey community, which is now facing fewer options to play outdoors and worries about the future of the sport for the next generation of players.
Community Response to the Rollerblade Ban
Before the ban was introduced, roller hockey players in the region had been excited about the opening of the Sohen Gill and Jack Crosby sports boxes in April 2024. These facilities were seen as potential hubs for local leagues and year-round play. Sean Wilson, a roller hockey player from Vancouver and part of a network of hundreds of Lower Mainland players, described the initial hope these venues brought and the disappointment that followed the prohibition on inline skates.
"It was a place that gave us hope. We could start a league here, we can play all year long," said Wilson. His group had used the sports boxes for about two years before the ban took effect, booking space and paying thousands in fees over that period.
Reasons Behind the Ban
According to a statement provided by the City of Burnaby to CBC News, the ban was implemented after the manufacturer of the non-slip flooring in the new sports boxes recommended limiting use to sports played on foot. The city indicated that this measure was taken to ensure public safety, as the surface was deemed incompatible with rollerblades or roller skates.
Concerns Over Rink Conditions and Availability
Wilson highlighted that inadequate rink conditions are not a new issue for local roller hockey players. He pointed to the rink at Vancouver’s Queen Elizabeth Park, which has developed a reputation for its rough concrete surface. According to Wilson, complaints about the surface have persisted for at least a decade, with parents expressing safety concerns that have discouraged children from participating in the sport. "At least 10 years we’ve been complaining about it," he said.
The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation acknowledged in an email that the Queen Elizabeth Park rink surface now needs to be renewed and noted that several other outdoor courts in Vancouver suffer from similar age-related degradation.
Plans for Rink Renewal and Limited Recreational Spaces
The board indicated that a citywide review of courts will be conducted next year to determine which facilities should be prioritized for renewal within the confines of the available budget. In the meantime, groups like the one Wilson plays with are forced to move from rink to rink due to poor conditions and limited availability.
Trevor Wong, another regular player, stated that Vancouver essentially has only "one legitimate [roller hockey] rink," which he thinks is insufficient for a city of this size. Wong described the situation as roller hockey players being "pushed out" of adequate recreational spaces and left with subpar facilities. "It was horrible. It just felt like we were kind of being left with nothing," said Wong.
Alternative Locations and Ongoing Challenges
The City of Burnaby mentioned that there are sports boxes available for roller hockey at Cariboo, Ron McLean, and Taylor Park. In Vancouver, the Board of Parks and Recreation stated that ball hockey players can use the sports boxes at Renfrew Community Park and Memorial South Park. However, Wong noted that while his group uses Memorial South Park, its design mainly caters to lacrosse and doesn't quite feel suitable for hockey, though he described it as a "slightly better" alternative than the Queen Elizabeth Park rink.
Outlook for Roller Hockey Players
As local officials review and consider renewing recreational spaces, roller hockey players continue to seek adequate outdoor rinks. The ongoing burnaby ban on inline skates and the challenge of deteriorating rink conditions underscore the difficulties faced by the community in maintaining and growing the sport.
Source: cbc.ca.
