Prospera Centre Open House

Feature Story Thursday June 16, 2011

Open House Brings Out The Best In The Community

Rink shows it has more uses than just for hockey

Craig Hill/Voice photos

Kids get a chance at being firemen last Saturday at the Prospera Centre Open House.

ropsera Centre held an Open House last Saturday and had a good turnout. Outside there was live music, kiosks and a line of very expensive Ferrari's.

Inside the arena, Abbotsford's roller derby team, the Valley Vixens were joined by local newcomers, the Chilliwack Voodoo Dollz who spent the morning talking with people about roller derby and demonstrated skating skills.

Also inside were the Welcome Wagon folks, child entertainer Rosie Ribbonstar as well as face painting, free hot dogs and pop for everyone.

The Voodoo Dollz are in training and hope to be certified which will then enable them to join the league for regular games.

Evada Peron (derby name), is one of the league organizers and she told the Voice they're raring to go and will be in the league soon.

"We hope to be skating in the fall. We've got two teams that we hope to develop a level where we can compete in bouts against each other in Chilliwack and also traveling to Abbotsford, Cloverdale, Vancouver and all over B.C.," says Peron.

There is benchmark testing that everyone has to pass which involves teaching the girls how to be safe on their skates.

"Basically, it teaches the girls how to stop, how to fall so they are safe with themselves and not a danger to other girls on the court."

They're going through all the testing now and by February they'll be full-fledged members of the league.

"We'll have 40 girls finished with their testing and ready to compete," she said adding that "lots of people don't know there's a league in Chilliwack and we're just getting the information out there."

The teams travel to various points in BC and on the island for matches and the Vixens are going to crash the Island in September and they'll also hitting Edmonton later this year.

Of course, the Valley Vixens are looking forward to the Voodoo Dollz joining the league once they're certified.

Michelle "Hella Waits" Cooper, who owns Diva! on Mill Street in downtown Chilliwack told the Voice she's looking forward to the Voodoo Dollz joining the league once they're certified.

"There's nothing like a local rivalry to make a good atmosphere at a game," says Cooper.

For information on joining the Chilliwack Voodoo Dollz e-mail Evada here or visit their Facebook page here or visit: www.voodooderbydollz.com

If you are looking to join Abbotsford's Valley Vixens e-mail Hootie here or visit their website: www.rvvrd.com

See the Voice's photos below.