News Release
$215,000
roller hockey arena approved for Hernando
Hockey in June? Construction could begin as early as next month on a $215,000, 10,350 square-foot in-line roller hockey arena known as an airnasium at the Hernando Civic Center, just south of Hernando off Robertson Gin Road.
L&T Construction Company will build the facility with a tentative construction start of June 10.
The former DeSoto Youth Hockey Association would become the Junior Street Kings and RiverKings star player Don Parsons, Hernando Youth Sports Vice President Danny Phillips and the RiverKings organization would help oversee operations of the facility. RiverKings players would coach most if not all of the hockey teams.
"They (RiverKings) can't wait to teach the kids the game they love," said Robin Costa, president of the Hernando-based Maddox Foundation. Costa is also in ongoing negotiations to buy the RiverKings minor league hockey franchise.
Costa said Parsons, who has been with the RiverKings for two consecutive seasons, will be the street hockey camp director. "With Don's immediate knowledge of hockey and his love for the kids, it's something that will be a natural," she said.
Phillips is also excited about plans for the new hockey arena and street hockey program.
"This will give us an opportunity to have the RiverKings in Hernando on an almost daily basis," said Phillips, who is also a member of the Hernando Rotary Club, one of three organizations which operate the Hernando Civic Center.
At Wednesday's Hernando Rotary Club meeting, members approved in principle an agreement in which the Hernando Rotary Club would donate land, roughly a 195 feet by 95 feet space owned by the Rotary Club, for the inline hockey arena on the Hernando Civic Center grounds. The Lions Club and Saddle Club are also said to be in support of the project, Phillips said.
"I feel like this is something that will be great for Hernando, the Rotary Club and the children of DeSoto County," he said. The building will cost $180,000 with an additional $35,000 in padded dasher boards around the inside of the arena which would double as advertising for sponsors.
Under terms of the proposed agreement, the Rotary Club has asked for a letter of intent with the Maddox Foundation in which the land and building would become the property of the Hernando Civic Center.
Phillips, the man credited with helping bring the Dizzy Dean World Series to DeSoto County as its national commissioner, said he never thought hockey would be such a popular sport in DeSoto County.
"I would have never thought there would have been street hockey in Hernando," Phillips said as he asked the Rotary Club members for their support.
Youth baseball and softball have been popular at the Civic Center for the past several years, Phillips said. More than 1,000 children play nightly on the Civic Center's nine fields and teams from as far away as Tunica and Independence play on the fields.
A youth hockey season could begin as early as July with a series of hockey camps with a fall league planned in September. The first camp will be held June 17 at the new facility.
"It's a pretty big deal," said Hernando Alderman Sam Lauderdale, who like Phillips, is a Rotarian. "We think this is the proper way to do it."
Costa said in her role as president of the Maddox Foundation she has always tried to give back to the community. "Part of my commitment to bringing youth sports here is that it will be affordable and attainable for everyone. We don't want any child turned away."
For his part, Don Parsons said he looks forward to working with youth in DeSoto County.
"After each game the parents and kids ask me to start clinics and leagues," Parsons said. "I know there are a large amount of people who want to be involved. Building a rink will be a great place to start a base for their skill level so we cull those over to the league when it starts play in the fall."
Scholarships are available for the camps for those children who can't afford equipment. For more information about the camp and the Junior Street Kings call (901)870-PUCK.
Parsons also hopes the roller hockey league will also generate an ice hockey league at a later date.
Steve McCall, director of public relations for the RiverKings said the RiverKings organization has always tried to become involved in the community.
"For our 10 years in the area we've always tried to give back to the community," he said. "I think the impact will be huge. They can meet the players up close and personal. Instead of going to watch the RiverKings play, they can say they are going to watch Kevin Fricke or Don Parsons play."
