ECHO Hockey Inc.

On October 17, 1995 the sport as “cool as ice” made it’s debut at the E.R. Snell Youth Sports Complex in Snellville.  Hockey in the South was born on a court surrounded by plywood walls measuring 120’ x 70’ that hosted play for the 170 kids registered.

Two years later that participation number exceeded 500 and a second larger outdoor rink was built by volunteers on land purchased to accommodate the sport’s popularity.  Travel teams evolved and parents packed it up on Friday and headed up and down the East coast to play the tournament circuit. Those parents  then came home and committed themselves to the Board of Directors to build a two rink facility to handle the increase in registrations locally – and bring those teams in neighboring states to Snellville for a friendly game of hockey !!

The site of the second rink is what today is the SGAA DUAL DECK HOCKEY ARENA & PRO SHOP.  The 40,000 sq. ft. two regulation rink open air facility was opened in October 2001 and now is home to the 100 teams in the AARHO and GHRA middle/high school programs, three sessions of youth and adult play, Southeastern Conference Collegiate games, and Regional and National events for 2HOT4ICE, TORHS, ECHO, COASTAL CUP, and AAU.  State Wars and Team USA also utilize the facility to evaluate the best of the best to represent their sport in international competition.

On February 1, 2008 the final piece of the puzzle was put in place - ground was broken for a 3,000 sq. ft. addition to completely enclose the arena. The upgraded facility will include enough air conditioning to beat the Georgia heat, a new expanded Pro Shop, a large meeting room, expanded restroom facilities,  parent’s lounge,  office space and a brick front to make the DUAL DECK the  destination for the inline hockey enthusiast.  The projected completion date is April 2008.

The Snellville community and the Gwinnett Convention and Visitors Bureau hopes the roller hockey world enjoys the new look – and feel, of air conditioning blowing across the arena has hundreds of kids enjoy the sport they love.