Editor:
The Gibsons ice arena will be bustling with hockey players and figure skaters, thanks to a recent decision by the SCRD to re-install ice this August. Plans are moving forward for multiple summer camps featuring professional coaches from both on and off the Coast.
The decision to install ice is overwhelmingly appreciated by our youth ice organizations. Travelling off Coast is expensive and time-consuming for our young families. Keeping ice here at home means greater opportunities for our youth. Over the past year, youth ice sports have seen growth in all programming – some of this growth can be attributed to the extension of the regular ice season. April saw over 10 programs through the Minor Hockey Association, targeting everything from shooting clinics to goalie clinics, 3-on-3 tournaments and much more. The Sunshine Coast Skating Club had the opportunity to extend training for figure skaters without travel and offer a shortened CanSkate, Learn to Skate session.
With the continued support of the SCRD, our programs and development will continue to attract new skaters to the ice. Strong minor hockey programs and figure skating programs will attract more young families to the Coast, creating a diverse, healthy demographic for everyone to succeed. We cannot thank the SCRD staff and board enough for their continued support.
Kate Turner, Sechelt, for the Sunshine Coast Minor Hockey Association and Sunshine Coast Skating Club
