Surface Improvements Expected To Solve Water Ponding At Roller Rink

Officials are moving forward with a new plan to resolve persistent drainage problems at the Falls Township Community Park roller hockey rink.

The Falls Township Board of Supervisors voted last month to award a $113,025 contract to Sport Court of Pennsylvania.

The project is to mitigate rainwater ponding that has plagued the rink over the years.

The upcoming work involves a specialized retrofitting process designed to prevent water from collecting on the playing area after storms.

“This surface is going to be retrofitted with drainage tiles that are playable at the surface level with drill holes in the existing asphalt surface below it so that the water that ponds can infiltrate,” Township Engineer Joseph Jones said.

The technical scope of the project includes milling, regrading, and repaving the current court. It also involves applying crack seal and filler to ensure proper water runoff.

The work will involve underlaying the entire area with geotextile felt to prevent shifting and provide a stable base for aggressive play. Crews will also install a tiled system over the asphalt and raising the dasher boards to accommodate the new surface height.

The $113,025 bid from Sport Court came in approximately $22,000 under the township’s original $135,000 budget for the repairs, officials said.

The rink was last renovated in 2022. The project included new dasher boards, fencing, and a resurfaced floor.

The 2022 improvements were largely funded by grants secured by State Sen. Steve Santarsiero and former State Rep. John Galloway, both Democrats.

The upcoming work by Sport Court of Pennsylvania includes a five-year manufacturer’s warranty.

Over the five year period, the company is contracted to service and maintain the rink against buckling, shifting, or other structural issues, the township said in a statement.

A similar rink surface system is already in use at the Bensalem Township Community Park hockey rink, according to officials.