Major ice users are hoping the Sunshine Coast Arena ice rink will remain open until April 28 rather than close at the end of March, though long-term solutions to ice availability remain elusive.
Ice users include Sunshine Coast Minor Hockey and the Sunshine Coast Skating Club, in addition to the adult men’s hockey league.
“We’ve been asking for years to have the ice extended. In a perfect world one arena would have a year-round ice surface,” said Brenda Rowe, president of Sunshine Coast Minor Hockey and coordinator for the men’s league.
The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) was forced to postpone ice installation until Oct. 28 because of a drought that caused Stage 4 water restrictions. The rink normally opens in late September.
“SCRD is currently working with ice and dry floor user groups to confirm schedules for spring 2018 for both Gibsons and Area Community Centre and Sunshine Coast Arena,” Ian Hall, the SCRD’s general manager, planning and community development, said in an email Wednesday.
Rowe says the expectation of extra ice time will allow Sunshine Coast Minor Hockey to plan activities, including a six-week skating program in March for girls hockey, supported by BC Hockey sponsor Esso. “We wouldn’t have been able to plan it if we didn’t have [the extra ice time],” said Rowe.
Andrea Watson, president at the Sunshine Coast Skating Club, also wants year-round ice. “It’s been tough for us, especially being a small club,” said Watson, referring to the postponed opening. Skaters normally participate in an October competition but because of the late opening, they didn’t have enough time to practise and were unable to participate.
The Sunshine Coast Skating Club also signs contracts for its professional coaches ahead of each season, and an unpredicted delay cost the club money since coaches had to be paid even though the ice wasn’t ready. “For a small non-profit club … that was a big hit for us.”
In December, an arena water initiative was presented as part of the SCRD’s pre-budget package, and included a “desktop well study,” which means looking into the reactivation of a decommissioned well located at the site of the Sechelt arena. “The old well near the arena would be considered as part of the project,” Hall said.
“A number of initiatives related to ensuring sustainable water supply are currently being considered through the SCRD’s annual budget process,” he said. The first round of budget meetings will take place Jan. 22.
He also wrote that an initiative has been proposed to look into the implementation of water efficiency measures, including “the use of non-potable water, water capture and/or introduction of high-efficiency ice making systems.”
Rowe has been in touch with Hall and hopes to work with the SCRD to find a solution. “I just want to start the conversation so we don’t find ourselves in the same situation.”
Watson also wants to work on a “win-win” with the SCRD. “We’re really dependent on the things that the SCRD is going to put in place,” said Watson, when asked whether the club will be operating differently next year in case a similar delay occurs. “Hopefully we don’t run into this again, but honestly, I’m not holding my breath.”
