I had the pleasure of being invited to attend a friends and family event for the Mad Rollin' Dolls this past Saturday.  I didn't know much about roller derby, so I was excited to attend and learn more about the sport.\n\nA quick diversion, if I may?  \n\nHoly. Cats. Roller Derby athletes are the real deal.  To see a pack of people skating in unison around a small track, bunched together in a tight group is incredibly impressive.  I don't think I'd make it a single lap... Add to this a myriad of strategy, speed, complex maneuvers, and some significant hits/blocks/impacts, and you've got a very serious sport.  It takes core strength, coordination, brains, brawn, and guts.  I have massive respect for anyone who participates in this sport!\n\nAnywho, back to the rink itself.\n\nWhat a disaster.  It's completely rundown and neglected - from the parking lot to the lounge areas to the rink to the roof to the lighting - it's all in dire shape.\n\nThe parking lot is riddled with potholes and missing sections of asphalt.  The rink reaks of old sweat and body odor.  The carpet is in shambles.  The rink itself is missing chunks from the surface - I could see sections of OSB (oriented strand board) exposed all over the place... I saw one large \"gash\" in the rink that had to be 16-18\" long.\n\nThe drop-tile roofing shows signs of water damage, mold, and other issues.  The lighting fixtures are largely broken; there are globes hanging around the rink, and most are damaged in some fashion or another.\n\nI feel bad for anyone who has to skate here... I can't believe they let this place get rundown to as bad as it appears to be.  It couldn't take much to fix the ceilings, the flooring, and to Febreeze the place... \n\nOn a positive note, the bathrooms were clean.  :-)\n\nI'll be back to watch additional Roller Derby activities, but I'm not sure I'd attend for an open skate or anything on my own.