Cd'A Roller Derby to hang up skates

COEUR d’ALENE — “Peace, love, Coeur d’Alene Roller Derby.” That was the sign-off for a letter to The Press signaling the impending end of Coeur d’Alene Roller Derby (also known as the Snake Pit Derby Dames) in February 2024 unless they’re able to find a new venue.

“For over two decades this women's roller derby league provided a positive, supportive space for physical growth, competition, and friendship. Even if you haven't been to one of our games, it’s likely we brought a smile to your face as we skated by in the annual parades or scanned your ticket at the rodeo. Maybe you or a loved one benefited from our support of local programs such as Bikers Against Child Abuse, Kootenai Humane Society, Centennial Trail clean up and more,” the letter read.

Known on the roller rink as “Jam Sandwich,” roller derby board president Sandy Goodwin said that it’s been a struggle to find a new home for the league since they initially had to suspend bouts at Skate Plaza for the pandemic lockdown.

The last game they played was in Feb. 22, 2020, against Rainer Roller Riot at Skate Line Sports. 

The team was left feeling excited about the season until the shutdown put a damper on their derby dreams.

Skate Plaza was the only home and practice venue that Coeur d’Alene Roller Derby had known since they began in 2008, but the venue unexpectedly decided to change its business to a model that no longer included roller derby.

“We’ve been trying to build the team up, but it’s really hard when you don’t have a place to do it. We’ve talked with CPAs and they said that it might just be cleanest to let it go,” Goodwin said.

The struggle to find a consistent venue able to accommodate them has been a problem for a few years now. The group has looked into options ranging from everything from school gyms, outdoor spaces, to empty warehouses.

Goodwin said that although she understands the reasons for other public and private spaces to not be able to take them on for games, it’s still been a difficult process to go through even if they understand people’s concerns.

The group has been a nonprofit for years as well as an LLC, but with changes in team management, the nonprofit lapsed, and if they continue to not have a permanent residence, tax experts have advised them to make a clean break.

“It’s sad to think about. We’re just met with, ‘We’re worried about you damaging the floor, so sorry.’ We’re trying to figure out our best bet to try and clear up things with the IRS and get our nonprofit status cleared up, or do we disband,” Goodwin said.

A temporary solution was found when they developed a gentleman’s agreement to practice at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds.

The trade-off for occasional use of the space was that they could assist with the North Idaho State Rodeo events.

“We would scan tickets and in return they would let us use the facilities to practice in. It’s been a great agreement for us. This winter, they’re using the building for oat storage,” Goodwin said.

Keeping skaters with no actual bouts to play against opponents has been another layer of difficulty.

“Throughout the last couple years, we’ve had skaters fizzle out saying, 'Hey, no offense, but we don’t have a home,'” Goodwin said.

The team has always been more than just a fun pastime, the freedom that roller derby inspires in its players gets people in touch with new sides of themselves, something that the die-hards are loathe to let go.

“Everybody joins for their own reason, whether it’s fitness or it’s mental, anger management or whatever. It just becomes a part of your identity,” Goodwin said. 

As it stands, the group wants to thank all the people who made the derby experience magic over the years: volunteers who refereed, participated as non-skating officials, photographers and EMTs.

In the meantime, Goodwin and the team are still hoping for a last-minute miracle: being graced a welcome practice space for Coeur d’Alene Roller Derby.

    Coeur d'Alene Roller Derby women watch their teammates play from the sidelines in the second half. From left: Danielle “Gin and Chronic” Shanley, Piper “Empiper Strikes Back” Kenney, Amber “Rosie the Revolter” Fuson and Stephanie “Bigs Eats Smalls” Coates.