Roller Rink Plans Get Green Light In Shirley: Councilman

SHIRLEY, NY — The dream for a roller rink at the former bowling alley in Shirley could be one step closer toward becoming reality.

Brookhaven Town Councilman Dan Panico posted on social media Monday night and said the planning board had approved the plans for the rink, located at the former bowling alley on The Green, and the Sonic adjacent to Best Market.

"There soon could be a lot of people skating in the area," Panico said.

The next steps would be for the owners to obtain building permits and move forward, he said.

According to a notice of public hearing, JM2 Architecture PC of Farmingville made an application to the Brookhaven Town planning board for an approval of a change of use to convert the former AMF Shirley Lanes bowling alley, located on The Green, into a roller rink, as well as retail space.

The proposal requires a special permit from the planning board for an assembly and social recreation hall, as well as a variance for the required amount of parking needed, the notice said.

The proposal, 30 The Green@Shirley, refers to the parcel located at the northwest corner of The Green and Roberts Road.

Although there were reports that retails businesses interested in the property could include an arcade and a dollar store, that could not be immediately confirmed.

Panico has said he met with the individual who is going to develop the roller skating rink.
"I fully support the idea and believe it can be very successful in the area," he said. "I haven’t spoken with the owner of the property in quite some while, but we have enough dollar stores. There is a real need for community friendly type places in our area. A place like Safari Adventure would do extremely well in our area."

In 2019, despite rumors a'plenty and lots of speculation about what business might be opening at the former AMF Shirley Lanes, located on The Green — the business shuttered in recent years — Panico said on social media at the time that a new bowling alley likely wasn't in the cards.