Cal Poly Roller Hockey Shifts to Outdoor Training
The collegiate program has moved practices to Santa Rosa Park after losing access to its former indoor arena facility.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Hockey
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Cal Poly Roller Hockey has relocated its training to an outdoor rink at Santa Rosa Park following the loss of its primary facility at the Central Coast Sports Arena. The team remains committed to its season while searching for a new permanent indoor home.
Why it matters
The loss of the Santa Maria-based arena forces the long-standing program to adapt to outdoor conditions, which requires different equipment and maintenance for players. The team now faces the challenge of maintaining competitive standards while operating without a dedicated indoor rink.
The program supports 22 players with $1,500 in annual university funding, supplemented by individual player dues of $700. Athletes must also manage specialized equipment costs, such as goalie sliders priced at approximately $200 per pair.
The players
Cal Poly Roller Hockey
This collegiate club team has competed in the Western Collegiate Roller Hockey League for over three decades.
Western Collegiate Roller Hockey League
This is the regional governing body that facilitates roller hockey competition for university-level programs.
The details
The transition to the outdoor concrete surface at Santa Rosa Park requires the team to adjust their gear, including utilizing plastic pucks and specific inline skate wheels. Located just one mile from the Cal Poly campus, the park now serves as the primary training site as management changes at the previous arena led to the removal of its rinks.
Timeline
1993: Cal Poly founded its roller hockey program.
1995: The club began competing in the WCRHL.
2011: Cal Poly finished second at national championships.
October through April: The annual roller hockey season.
Spring: National Collegiate Roller Hockey Association championships.
Season Trajectory
The shift to outdoor training forces the team to adapt its playstyle significantly, impacting its preparation for upcoming league competitions. This facility change may alter the program's long-term outlook, potentially leading to a transition to ice hockey if a new indoor surface remains elusive.
Players must invest in different wheel durometers to accommodate the transition from indoor sport court to outdoor concrete surfaces. The proximity of the new site to campus allows for consistent attendance despite the loss of the Santa Maria facility.
The takeaway
The program's 33-year history underscores the resilience required by club-level collegiate sports to survive facility closures. Athletes looking to maintain performance levels must prioritize investing in surface-specific gear to avoid injury and equipment damage on concrete.
Further reading
For more on collegiate athletic developments, visit the Hockey section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Mustang News.
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