After four years, the Appalachian Hell Betties roller-derby team is one step – skate? – closer to having a home. They have a floor.
They sell out every time they hold a bout here in Athens. The problem has always been finding a local venue where they can skate against the numerous regional opponents. The game requires at minimum a 75-by-108 foot space for the track – and that doesn’t count space for spectators.
What’s more, owners of such spaces – typically basketball courts, such as they used at the Athens Community Center last year – are fearful that the surface will be damaged by dozens of roller skates going round and around on it.