In small towns across Canada, the local hockey rink has been the centre of community activity for months.
In the northern B.C. town of Mackenzie, they’re still waiting for it to open.
“It’s been terrible,” says Pat Crook, the town’s mayor. “The rec. centre is the heart of the community and people can’t use most of it. It’s been an out disaster.”
A renovation to the Mackenzie Recreation Centre that began in the summer is still dragging on, forcing the parents and teams to find backup plans while more and more tournaments are cancelled or relocated.
“There is nothing really for our kids to do this whole winter,” says Nita Mjolsness. “This little town thrives on winter things for our children.”
The renovation, which included adding two modern change rooms and improving the arena’s lighting, seemed to finish behind schedule in November. But paint began falling from the arena’s roof and insurers aren’t letting anyone on the ice until it’s fixed.
That was in December. Today, the hockey, speed skating and ice skating parts of the arena still sit empty, with one promised date for reopening already passed.
“It is frustrating for me, all the hockey players, all the ice users that plan every week on using this facility,” says Travis Stewart, President of Mackenzie Minor Hockey. He says that his senior teams are playing out-of-town tournaments as often as they can, but there’s few alternatives for younger and more recreational players.
“We’re trying to make it the best we can, but it’s not good.”
With Mackenzie being the only major population centre between Prince George and the Peace River Regional District, the closure has had a trickle-down effect. Hotels and restaurants used to business from tournaments have lost customers. Speed skaters hoping for scholarships have had practice time eliminated. One place that would have benefited from the closure was the local ski hill – but that too was empty over December due to a lack of snow.
“I can completely understand how frustrated the people in town are,” says Crook, who says city staff are doing everything they can to resolve the situation.
“There’s no real silver lining, because the damage has already been done. Winter’s half over. That arena and that rec centre is usually bustling. There’s swim meets, hockey tournaments, it’s a great place for kids.”
Crook says he’s told the contractors “they have to make it right,” and Stewart says the district is working with teams to ensure parents are refunded for fees. A sandblaster from Edmonton has just been shipped to town, and it’s hoped the new method will solve the problem of the falling paint.
For now, the town waits.
“You keep telling your kids not to worry, hockey season’s going to start soon, and then you have to apologize again,” says Mjolsness.
Comments