Ice demand draws scrutiny

by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted Dec 22, 2013 at 1:00 AM
Fewer kids playing hockey means the need for ice is under review. The Greater Vernon Advisory Committee and the City of Vernon are trying to rationalize ice time, including whether ongoing hours are needed at the private Okanagan Training Rink. “There’s a downward trend in ice time needed for minor hockey,” said director Rob Sawatzky. About 280 to 300 hours per year are rented for minor hockey at OTR, and if that continues in 2014, there will be a $12,000 subsidy (after hockey players pay GVAC $24,000 in fees). “If we don’t subsidize OTR, we will have more people using our facilities,” said director Catherine Lord of Civic Arena, Kal Tire Place and Priest Valley Arena. GVAC began renting ice time at OTR in the mid-1990s when the community’s two arenas — Civic and Priest Valley — were at capacity. OTR has been used by ringette and minor hockey for its youngest members, who only need one half-size ice surface. However, when Kal Tire Place opened in 2001, ice time at OTR was reduced, but some usage by young children has continued so older kids and adults had earlier ice times at the public facilities. But it’s believed by some officials that sufficient time for everyone could now be available at Civic, Priest Valley and Kal Tire Place. “Over time, city staff will try to maximize the use of the city ice facilities,” said David Sewell, Regional District of North Okanagan finance general manager. A decision on OTR could come during GVAC’s 2014 budget process, but information on demographics and hockey registrations is needed. “The politicians need to give more thought to the implications,” said Sawatzky. “We need the latest trends and data and what the facts are.” Other factors to consider are Civic Arena possibly being abandoned if a new arena is constructed next to Kal Tire Place. “A lot of pressure has been taken off our facilities because people are going to Armstrong for hockey,” said Mike Macnabb, GVAC chairperson.
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EDITORIAL: Ice time requires in-depth study
posted Dec 22, 2013 at 1:00 AM Vernon Morning Star
Demands used to abound about the need for expanded ice time for hockey, ringette and figure skating in Greater Vernon. However, it appears the situation is changing. Officials currently suggest that fewer people, particularly in minor hockey, are lacing up their skates, which means pressure for ice time has been eased. As a result, the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee and the City of Vernon are reviewing ice facilities to see if hours can be rationalized so everyone can be accommodated in public arenas. That could ultimately mean an end to renting hours at the privately owned Okanagan Training Rink, which has been used for very young children. Off the top, this process makes sense. After all, tax dollars are in limited supply and if there is a way of reducing the financial burden on residents while maximizing the investment in public structures, then all options should be considered. However, the politicians shouldn’t act rashly. Before any decisions are made, GVAC and the city should have a true sense of the ice time currently being used, current hockey registrations and the projected number of players in the future. What will the ramifications be if only public facilities are used in terms of available hours? But the only way for the politicians to become informed is to sit down with minor hockey representatives, ringette, figure skating, speed skating and the owners of Okanagan Training Rink. With hockey being such a vital role in residents’ lives, it’s incumbent that the required due diligence be done.