The rink for inline hockey, only one of eight in the country, will become the home of the British Rink Hockey Association and will host all its southern-league games.
It will also enable the formation of a youth league from January 2018, which will feature a newly formed local team - the Bordon Warriors. As well as hockey league games and training sessions, the rink will be used for community events throughout the year, including roller discos.
The hockey rink was officially opened by James Child, from the Whitehill and Bordon Regeneration Company, which made the garrison gym available to house it, and Dave Edmondson, who owns and operates the rink.
The opening was attended by dignitaries, including Alan Waterhouse, leader of Whitehill Town Council; Claire Coxwell, Community Solutions’ co-ordinator at Community First; Rob Allerston, director of the Phoenix Theatre and Arts Centre, and East Hampshire district councillor Glynis Watts.
A tournament of mixed teams from the British Rink Hockey Association’s southern league took place throughout the afternoon and evening, while Pete Winn, a former international ice-hockey player and coach for Great Britain and founder of Advanced Hockey Development, held a coaching session for young players.
Mr Child said: “We are constantly looking for ways in which we can bring new and exciting things to the local community. This rink is a perfect example of this and we only have eight in the UK. We are proud that one of them can be housed at Philip Barracks for the benefit of the Whitehill and Bordon community.”
Mr Edmondson added: “Roller hockey is a fast-paced sport that requires strength, endurance, passion, skill and teamwork. To have a dedicated space where an adult and youth league can thrive is vital for the future of the sport.
“We are especially excited to be able to start a youth league from next year and would encourage anyone interested to come along to training sessions to try the sport out. We will also be hosting lots of non-hockey events to get kids in to skating.”