Save the Shrewsbury Roller Rink
- da: Friends of Shrewsbury Hockey
- destinatario: Souther Branch YMCA, Shrewsbury, Pennsylvania
It goes far beyond the Roller Hockey program that serves roughly one hundred 5 to 16 year olds for 5 months a year. Below is a list of users that come to mind:
Roller Hockey
Public Skating
Summer Camp
Home School Skate
Youth Basketball
Adult morning walk
Monday Night Adult Hockey
Friday Night Teen Skate
Birthday Swim n Skate Parties
Daycare and After School Care
and more ...
The big concern is that the YMCA is forgetting about the kids it has advertised to be supporting for so long. "Strong Kids" has been one of their catch phrases forever. Parents have raised concerns, for example, that these kids who are safely accounted for at the rink on Friday nights will now be out and about.
The Hockey program has always shaped our youth in a positive way. The following is a quote from one of our concerned Parents "The kids don't just play one season and never see each other again. In the Hockey program the kids form long standing friendhips. I also witnessed how roller hockey involved the teenagers in leadership roles. It gave them an opportunity to lead and act as mentors for the young children as well. The younger ones look up to the teenagers, and hockey provided a terrific environment to see them carry out Godly character in those roles. What a good opportunity to pass down meaningful attributes to the younger generation. The roller hockey program wasn't just a sports program with reluctant parents, coaches, and volunteers. From my point of view, it was a shining example of what the YMCA used to promote - helping to develop young christians within the community. The hockey program wasn't about "ME". It was about "TEAM" and "COMMUNITY". It fostered traditional values that children so much need today."
Of course there's many more testimonials from concerned parents, but the bottom line is everybody is saddened that the rink that has helped shape hundreds of young men and women over the years won't be there for this community in years to come.
Please if you have any interest in turning around this decision by the YMCA, sign our petition and be heard !
York and Southern Branch YMCA Board of Directors,
We the undersigned are outraged at your decision to do away with the Roller Rink that has been a staple in our community for the past 2 decades. Not only has it taught our children teamwork, leadership, and sportsmanship over the years through the hockey program, but it has also given all children a safe, fun place to congregate and make lifetime friendships while keeping them off the streets through its many other programs and events.
We are very disappointed to hear that the YMCA appears to be favoring adult programs over our youth by converting the roller rink used by hundreds of kids into yet another a fitness center that kids can%u2019t use. We believe that this is a serious mistake and beg you and your board to reconsider. Just take a step back and read your own motto "We build strong kids". That%u2019s what the programs at the rink have always done. If properly managed, this one of a kind YMCA rink would be an asset not a liability. It is what makes this YMCA unique and allows it to offer children more. Remember the kids.
Although it was said that the rink closing decision meetings were well advertised amongst the members, nothing could be further from the truth. We feel that you owe it to the hundreds of users of the rink to delay your proposed construction for a year so the very people you claim to have involved can get a real opportunity to make a difference. People can do amazing things to save something they care so deeply about and we believe we deserve the chance to save our rink.
You have taken the human element out of this decision. The YMCA claims to be the nation%u2019s largest not-for-profit community service organization. But you are acting more like a cut throat business. It is appalling that the only input from the members and the community that was used to make this decision was a very small survey that had an unfair sampling of people.
The comments below are the voices of the community the YMCA serves. They are the voices you should have listened to before making the decision to close the rink. When you read the heartfelt comments in this petition, you will surely come to understand just how much this rink means to the people of this area as well as the repercussions that will come from closing it.
We ask that you all read these comments and then reconvene your board and revisit this decision. You owe it to the families%u2019 of this community that has supported you for so long.
Sincerely,
Friends of the Shrewsbury Roller Rink
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