Staff say minor hockey has 91.5 more hours than last season
Tantramar’s director of Active Living and Culture Matt Pryde says minor hockey will have more ice time at the civic centre this season, but some councillors say questions from families and other rink users have not gone away.
The issue came up during Monday’s committee of the whole meeting, council’s first meeting since summer break, when council reviewed the Active Living and Culture report.
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Pryde said the civic centre’s ice-making system is scheduled to turn on August 31, with the first rental booked for September 7. He says staff have been working since the spring to increase youth ice time.
“We’ve been working on the ice schedule to increase youth ice time at the civic centre,” said Pryde. “We’re pleased to be able to move around some adult league times, to free up an additional ninety one and a half hours for minor hockey more for the upcoming season than they had last season.”
Council hears families are upset
Councillors Alyssa Greene and Barry Hicks said they had been contacted by members of the minor hockey and ice-user communities.
“I have been overwhelmed with emails and phone calls from the minor hockey community and ice user community and they’re upset,” said Greene. Hicks later commented, “I’ve had complaints about the minor hockey, the schedule of the minor hockey. They say they have to go to Springhill.”
Greene raised concerns about the civic centre seating project, the center ice logo, Mount Allison’s use of the facility, the Wayne Hicks tournament, and whether minor hockey families may still need to travel to Springhill for ice time.
The discussion follows a CHMA story earlier this year about the Mount Allison Ringette Club. The student-run team told council it had been forced to host games in Oxford, Nova Scotia, and after years without even a few weekend ice night in Sackville, this season the team may not be able to endure the coming season.
Growing Pains
Pryde reminded council, “They have more ice than they’ve ever had,” but immediately acknowledged, “but minor hockey is growing and that causes a problem.”
Councillor Wayne Wells said minor hockey should have top priority because children should not be travelling late in winter.
Pryde said youth sports do tend to receive prime ice time, but the schedule also has to account for Mount Allison, high school leagues, skating club use and other fixed requirements.
The first rental is weeks away.
About the reporter
Clinton Davis is a PT journalist/producer with CHMA News covering Tantramar (including Sackville, Dorchester, Port Elgin, Midgic and surrounding communities). He reports on municipal government, public safety, community events, local business, regional issues and ideas across Tantramar.
