The planning and community development committee of the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) heard an impassioned plea Oct. 12 from Brenda Rowe, representing Sunshine Coast Minor Hockey, regarding the postponement of ice installation in the Sechelt arena due to water restrictions.
In a prepared speech, Rowe said she recognizes that minor hockey is “not the centre of the universe [but] there certainly have been times when we definitely feel undervalued.”
She said the volunteer organization serves youth, which keeps youth engaged in sport and keeps them out of trouble.
Rowe said living on the Sunshine Coast and being involved in minor hockey is a huge commitment for parents. She cited the need to travel every weekend into Metro Vancouver, from the time players are nine years old.
“Money aside, this means that a one-hour game takes a family a minimum of six hours,” she said.
Rowe talked about the money that hockey tournaments bring to the community, such as the 2016 Midget Tier 3 BC Championships that brought about 12,000 spectators to the Sunshine Coast. She estimated that minor hockey has been responsible for a $1.2-million economic infusion into the community.
Addressing the situation with the Sechelt arena, Ian Hall, SCRD’s general manager of planning and community development, provided an overview on alternatives that have been looked at.
These include a historic well at the arena, using non-potable water and trucking in water for making the ice, which he said was the most promising short-term solution but added it is not sustainable.
He told committee members that the SCRD drop-in programs have been scaled back and that the Gibsons arena was opened earlier than usual.
Director Ian Winn (West Howe Sound) asked staff if there was a timeline to make decisions about potential alternatives such as trucking in water for ice. “When,” he asked, “do we commit to commit” to the options? Hall said the staff will continue to monitor the water situation, “and that will guide our actions on water use.”
On Wednesday, the SCRD announced ice installation would begin Oct. 19 and the arena would reopen Oct. 28.
Rowe said a plan was needed “so that we do not repeat this situation, be it storage, a well or alternative solution.” She also said the solution should not be based on conservation measures alone.
Director Mark Lebbell (Roberts Creek) said conservation is a vital component in the water discussions.
He said climate change means “we are entering a time of adaptation and a time of less water.” He said he “can’t support a plan that doesn’t rely on conservation.”
Lebbell added that coming from a hockey background, “I know the disappointment and frustration of community volunteers,” but “people need to understand that we will have climate extremes” and “kids are going to grow up in these circumstances.”
Rowe said she understands the implications of climate change. “We’re not saying we want ice over fire protection,” she said.
Following the presentation, Rowe said she was hopeful that the SCRD board members understood her “level of frustration and the fact that this presents real problems” for minor hockey.
“The proof will be in the actions that ensue. This is not a problem that will go away on its own. There needs to be a plan attached for future years should we find ourselves in the same situation,” she said.
