Roller rink on drawing board

The team that brought Bremerton an ice skating rink last year announced it plans to bring skating — of a warmer kind — to South Kitsap’s Bethel Corridor.

Darlene Piper and Leo Hughes, co-owners of Skateland, are heading the new 5-acre development on Bethel Avenue near Blueberry Road that includes three commerical buildings and a roller skating rink.

Piper said a roller rink seemed the perfect addition to an area which seems to be losing instead of gaining safe, fun activities for kids and their families.

“There’s basically nothing for kids to do,” Piper said. “And this is something familes can do together, especially for birthday parties.

“And moms don’t have to clean up afterwards,” she said with a laugh.

Other facilities may be added later, Piper said, such as batting and pitching cages.

Construction manager Jim Wootan, who also managed the building of Bremerton’s ice rink, said he expects to begin work next month, and the skating will come soon after.

“People can start skating in late January,” Wootan said.

Pudential Real Estate Broker David Walden said the approximately $5 million price tag for the project includes $350,000 for the required access road that will divert traffic from the Bethel/Sedgwick intersection.

Walden said nearly half of the 25,000 square feet of office space is already spoken for. They are curently negotiating with a local law firm, Taco Del Mar and others.

Walden said the project cleared the entitlement stage and the permit process.

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