The Kamloops roller derby league Tournament City Derby Diversified is one of two groups searching for a new space after the school district approved the reopening of Westsyde Elementary School.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED / Melissa Meikle

KAMLOOPS — Two Kamloops community groups are being forced to find new homes after the reopening of an elementary school that had been closed for more than a decade.

After Westsyde Elementary School closed its doors several years ago, the City took over and was leasing out spaces to several groups within the community. Two of those groups include the city’s roller derby league, Tournament City Derby Diversified and the 204 Black Maria Royal Canadian Air Cadets.

Although both groups have been aware of the reopening of the school since it was announced several months ago, both say they have had difficulties finding a new space.

“We have tried a few different locations and it just hasn’t worked out,” Melissa Meikle with Tournament City Derby Diversified says.

Meikle, who is the group's treasurer, says they contacted the school board once they found out the school would be reopening to see if they could keep their space.

“They said they normally don’t lease or rent to roller derbies due to the floors being ruined,” Meikle says, adding that in the seven years they have been at the school they have never damaged the floor. The group had been skating at Westsyde since 2013, she says. 

“We have a phenomenal reference letter from the city saying we have never wrecked the floor in Westsyde Elementary so I am hoping to go and have a chat with the school board in person,” she says.

The league is made up of approximately 25 people from as young as 12 years old. The league skates at Westsyde Elementary two days a week from September to April. From April to mid-July, the group skates at the curling rink at McArthur Island when the ice is taken out.

Meikle says they are looking for an open space with a concrete floor. Although outdoor spaces like lacrosse boxes work, it's challenging when it rains.

“Once it gets wet, you can’t skate on it,” she says.

She says they are actively searching for any location with a decent size space, including churches with large basements but it hasn't been easy.

Meikle says in June the junior skaters played in Chilliwack and were approached by the head coach for Team Canada Roller Derby.

"He said you guys have potential," Meikle says and invited them to try out for the team in September. 

Christy Campbell who is a chair with the Squadron Sponsoring Committee for the 204 Black Maria Air cadets says they have lost nearly half of their members after losing their spot at Westsyde.

The air cadets have been meeting at Heffley Creek Elementary School since they moved after the last spring break.

“We have lost some cadets due to the distance,” she says.

Campbell says they are looking for a space with a gym and four to five classrooms.

“The gym is used for drill practice, range practice, marching and having parades,” she says.

Campbell says they have found available commercial space but it is beyond the group's budget of $500 per month.

“When they want $10 to $16 per square foot for 5,000 square feet a month… it’s just not financially feasible,” she says.

The air cadets had been at Westsyde Elementary since 2014.

Anyone who wishes to get in contact with either group can contact Tournament City Derby Diversified on their Facebook page here and the air cadets by clicking here. 

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