A new vision for the Potomac Community Center’s rink of dreams has been adopted, while plans to use the former roller hockey rink at Potomac Community Center for athletes with disabilities are being finalized.

Programs could start by the summer camp season, according to council documents.

Montgomery County Council held a public hearing Feb. 11 on a proposal to use $250,000 of General Obligation Bonds and community contributions to convert the dormant roller hockey rink at the Potomac Community Center into an adaptive sports court for athletes with disabilities.

“The increase is needed to meet the increased demands for therapeutic recreation services for persons with disabilities,” according to County Executive Isiah Leggett. “I appreciate your prompt consideration of this action.”

The Council is scheduled to officially approve the proposal at a future County Council soon, according to Council President Craig Rice and Councilmember Nancy Floreen.

“The Planning Housing and Economic Development took up this exact item yesterday in its review of the [Capital Improvements Plan.] We certainly support it so it will be on our agenda for approval shortly,” said Floreen.

“It is a great and noble cause,” said Rice.

CONTROVERSY HAS HOVERED around the rink since its inception.

Neighbors say the rink, built in 1997 to facilitate the explosion of interest in roller hockey, was erected without proper public input. The county limited play at the rink to youth ages after complaints.

League play stopped approximately eight years ago, as interest in roller hockey dwindled. The rink remained mostly dormant until now.

But when plans were made to bulldoze the rink last fall, Pam Yerg, area director with Special Olympics, pitched her idea to turn the rink with its safe flat surface into a sports field for athletes with disabilities, including those who use assistive devices such as crutches, walkers, wheelchairs or prosthetics.

Yerg called the facility “a rink of dreams.”

Leggett and the county gave approval for re-purposing the rink. A working committee, including neighbors, formed and starting meeting in the fall.

THREE, FOUR and five-year-olds with disabilities, YAPsters, were first to use the rink for the fall MSI TOPsoccer program, including Alison Acosta, then 5.

“It’s giving her a chance to do soccer. She has a sister Juliette who also plays MSI, so this gives Ali a chance to play,” said Luis Acosta, Alison’s father.

Yerg matched Alison with Alexa Singman, an eighth-grade student at Frost Middle School, who is Alison’s buddy on the pitch.

“It makes me feel good seeing them have fun,” said Alexa. “It’s nice to see everyone get a chance to play.”

The dormant Potomac roller hockey rink was power washed, its cracks were filled and a security camera was installed in the fall.

The Young Athletes Program, YAPsters, began the season Sept. 15.

Yerg thought she might get a handful of players.

“We have 20,” said Yerg. “It is a sight to behold.”

YERG WROTE to the Council for last week’s public hearing: “We anticipate being able to fill the week with valuable programs serving those who are greatly underserved.”

According to Leggett, the proposed funding “leverages an under-utilized existing asset with $25,000 in community contributions, and offers a significant opportunity to be used during the Summer 2014 camp season.”

“The Department of Recreation was approached to undertake this project by the community-based Friends of Potomac Community Recreation Center, Inc., along with representatives of a variety of groups supporting individuals with disabilities, among them Special Olympics, Potomac Community Resources, Wounded Warriors, as well as the department’s Therapeutic Recreation Section,” according to Leggett.

Pete Selikowitz, executive director of the Potomac Community Center, helped prepare the rink for the YAPsters in the fall.

“That’s what recreation is all about, providing opportunities for the entire community. I’m happy to be a part of it,” said Selikowitz.