Roller rink proposed for former Shirley bowling alley

The owner of the former AMF Shirley Lanes bowling alley is hoping to turn the location into a roller rink.

The owner, represented by JM2 Architecture PC of Farmingville, plans to go before the Brookhaven Town planning board in a virtual meeting on June 22 seeking a special permit for assembly/social recreation hall and a variance for the amount of parking required.

If approved, the owner would convert the former bowling alley, located at 30 The Green, adjacent to Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library, into retail space and a roller rink. The bowling alley has been closed for years.

Councilman Dan Panico, whose district includes the property, called the proposed roller rink “a great idea.”

“We need more family-friendly type of places, not only in the area, but in the town.” 

He said there “seemed to be some excitement” in the community about the idea of a roller rink. The last one in the area closed decades ago. 

And while the region is currently in Phase 3 of the governor’s coronavirus-related reopening plans — restricting the number of people who can assemble in one place — Panico said he foresees a “return to normalcy” as cases decline.

“People need these type of commercial and recreational activities.”