It's going to be quite a party - and the whole community is invited.
Sunshine Coast Regional District staff are planning an all-day event to celebrate the first anniversary of the Gibsons and Area Community Centre on Saturday, April 4.
The day kicks off with the inaugural community hockey game from 8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Dubbed the Sechelt versus Gibsons challenge, the idea is to play a continuous hockey game throughout the day with teams made up of six skaters and a goalie playing 20-minute periods. The event is open to all ages, male or female.
"You can register as a single person or get seven people together and form a team," said arena sports program co-ordinator Tom Poulton. "They can be players of the same skill level, or fathers and sons versus another team of fathers and sons, maybe senior players versus senior players - any combination will work. This is a new event for the Coast, and I think it's going to be neat to see everybody from all over the Coast playing hockey in a fun and friendly environment."
Poulton is encouraging businesses that have locations in both Sechelt and Gibsons to also challenge each other. Fee for the game is $10 per person and all money raised for the hockey challenge will go towards paying for defibrillator equipment for the recreation facilities.
"We see this as a chance to mix up players from different age groups and skill groups to celebrate hockey and celebrate the community. What's more Canadian than hockey and community?" added Ted Chisholm, recreation program co-ordinator.
Following the hockey game, other ice-based activities are planned, which are free and open to the public. They include a family skate from 3:30 to 5 p.m., followed by a youth skate, complete with lights and DJ music, from 5:15 to 6:45 p.m.
Then at 7:15 p.m., the men's B-division will hold its second playoff championship final game followed by the men's A-division game at 9 p.m. if a fifth and deciding game is needed in the series between the Inlet Raiders and Senators.
And ice-based activities are just a few of the events planned for the day.
From 1 to 4 p.m. the rest of the community centre will be abuzz with a boxing demonstration, fitness classes and orientation, giving the public a chance to try out the fitness equipment and learn about the classes and programs being offered. There will be mini squash and racquet ball matches as well as an opportunity to learn more about the squash association and its programs. Other activities include children's entertainment, music, a ping-pong tournament, a scavenger hunt, activities in the youth centre, birthday cake and refreshments from the Gibsons Family Place Snack Shack kiosk.
To register for the hockey challenge or for more information about the day's events, call 604-885-6801 or see the website at www.scrd.ca.
