The Derby Dames are looking for a permanent practice space in Charlottesville. Since 2007, when our league was first formed, we’ve searched the city for the practice space of our derby dreams: big enough to hold a regulation-sized track and affordable enough to fit our non-profit-sized pockets.

Specifically, here’s what we’re looking for:

• column-free space to accommodate a track that is about 110 feet long by about 75 feet wide (about 10,000 square feet total)

• long-term lease options (6 mos+) with at least a 60-day notice to vacate

• affordability (we’re an all-volunteer, non-profit organization)

We realize it’s a tall order to fill. We also know that having the right practice space is critical to our success as an organization and our mission to serve the community of Charlottesville. Without a permanent space such as this to call our own, we will not be able to sustain the amazing growth our league has seen over the past two years.

Since 2010, we have nearly tripled our membership numbers. Last year, we had record-breaking attendance (a sold-out crowd of 1,000!) at our first bout on the Downtown Mall at Main St. Arena. In August of 2011, we hosted the first-ever VA is for Shovers roller derby tournament, the only one of its kind in central Virginia, bringing hundreds of derby girls and derby fans to the Downtown Mall.

Supporting the community of Charlottesville is integral to who we are as Derby Dames. We’ve donated over $15,000 to other local non-profit organizations including the Shelter for Help in Emergency, the Charlottesville Free Clinic, Virginia Discovery Museum and many more. We’ve volunteered hundreds of hours of our time to many worthwhile causes. But perhaps most importantly to us, we’ve been able to use the sport of roller derby to empower the women of Charlottesville and their physical, mental, and social health.

With your help, we can continue to support our community . . . and do so much more. But we cannot do it without a space to call home.

We would love to hear from business owners who have partially/fully unused warehouse space in Charlottesville to lease (or donate) to our team.

Don’t have any leads on space but still want to help?

Great! We’re willing to work with the right partner to develop a sponsorship deal that will benefit both our organization and your business.

In return for helping us with our space needs, the Dames can help you reach thousands of local derby fans who LOVE supporting our sponsors. (If you’d like to learn more about how the modern roller derby resurgence translates into $$ for the businesses who support their local leagues, please check out the recently released WFTDA 2010 Demographic Survey: http://wftda.com/sponsors/2012-demographic-information)

All inquiries, leads, and questions should be directed to our Space Committee at space@charlottesvillederbydames.com.