The Cabrillo Unified School District has approved plans for a roller hockey rink to be built on the Half Moon Bay High School campus.The facility is planned across from the lower parking lot on Lewis Foster Drive.

"We are thrilled to be moving from the airport," said Joel Farbstein, co-president of the NCHL board. "We hope to break ground sooon after school lets out."

Before one piece of ground is broken, however, organizers must secure a Coastal Development Permit from the city of Half Moon Bay. No one is certain how long the permitting process might take.

If completed, the rink would be a standard size of 85-by-200 feet with a four-foot board around the outside.

The rink at the airport, located away from the runways, was 65-by-120 feet with 18-inch boards.

The boards at the new facility will be big enough for sponsors' logos. The Boys & Girls Club of the Coastside received an anonymous donation for part of the funding. Coastside construction company Andreini Brothers, which built the new baseball field at the high school, is set help with the construction.

Empire Builders will also help in the building of the facility.

Watkins said organizers still need about $60,000 to complete the project.

Since its formation, the hockey league has played at its small rink at the airport. The larger rink was purchased and has been in storage.

"There were a lot of regulations at the airport," said Brian McNamara, an original board member. "We just couldn't put up the rink there."

"We have great parental support," Watkins said. "We want to get the hockey rink up post haste."

For the time being, the rink will be used only for summer leagues but Watkins contends the rink will serve its purpose.

"We have a large contingent of our youth that loves to play hockey," Watkins said. "It could lead to a creation of a roller hockey club at the high school. Maybe it could be used as a P.E. class by the high school."

Half Moon Bay Review 04-25-07