The Virginia Tech Athletic Department is planning to build a new indoor football practice facility on campus. Recently, the University decided that it will not be built in Stadium Woods and an alternative location is on Washington Street where the tennis courts and roller hockey rink are currently located. If they do decide to build the football facility in this location we ask that replacement tennis court and roller hockey rink facilities be constructed BEFORE any demolition begins. This is the only way to preserve our clubs and accommodate the hundreds of students who use those facilities on a regular basis.

The Roller Hockey Club at Virginia Tech (RHCVT) had their previous rink torn down in the spring of 2008 to make room for the Hahn Hurst Basketball Practice Center. At that time, the Athletic Department ensured the club that a new rink space would be built to replace it. However, it took three and a half years of advocating and waiting for a new rink space to be constructed. Rovito Rink was established in the fall of 2011 with the help of donations mostly from current students and alumni. The rink is named in honor of Tom Rovito, one of the founding RHCVT members who passed away at a tragically young age in 2009.

Our Club cannot withstand another hiatus with nowhere to play, especially after we just had the new rink built. Rovito Rink is not only a place where over 130 members of the Virginia Tech community come to play hockey in an organized league, have fun, and relieve the everyday stresses of college and work life, but also a place where lifelong friendships are established. In addition, it is home to the Virginia Tech Roller Hockey Travel Team which recently became an official Virginia Tech sport club and needs the rink to practice. On top of all this, it is currently the only roller hockey rink in all of Southwest Virginia and serves as a memorial to a fallen Hokie.

The Virginia Tech Men’s and Women’s Club Tennis Teams use the tennis courts to practice and host intercollegiate matches and tournaments. The courts are also used for Rec Sports intramural tennis matches and by hundreds of other Virginia Tech students and local residents.

Please sign this petition in support of the roller hockey rink and tennis courts which serve a large part of the Virginia Tech and surrounding communities. Thank you.

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