Ailing ice plant and COVID-19 restrictions mean no hockey season for Alberta hamlet

Provincial health restrictions put in place to curb COVID-19 spread had already put the hockey season on hold for New Sarepta.

The ice plant in the Alberta hamlet, operated by the New Sarepta Agricultural Society, needed repairs. The timeline and budget were already tight, and when the pandemic hit, it was the final straw.

“It’s a tough call, but we’re not left a whole lot of options right now,” said Taylor Knopp, president of the New Sarepta Agricultural Society.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "It's a tough call, but we're not left a whole lot of options right now," said Taylor Knopp, president of the New Sarepta Agricultural Society.

The group made the difficult decision to shut down the agriplex, effectively cancelling the hockey season.

“I don’t know anybody that’s happy, but I think they understand in the long term,” said Corey Nordin, president of New Sarepta Minor Hockey.

About 500 people live in New Sarepta, which is about 50 kilometres southeast of Edmonton. Roughly 160 kids play hockey there.

“There’s not a lot to do out here,” said goalie Kyla Lane. “It’s a pretty small town. So that’s it, that’s kind of the pastime out here: playing hockey.”

2:12 Millet and Wetaskiwin minor hockey associations team up to save the season

“Hockey is incredibly important,” said Kelsey Good, who is a hockey player, volunteer and hockey mom. “It’s much more than just physical activity for us.

Get weekly health news

Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday.

Sign up for weekly health newsletter Sign Up

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

“I have two children who play, my husband coaches on two teams, I sit on the board as the fundraiser, and both my husband and I play in adult league.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I have two children who play, my husband coaches on two teams, I sit on the board as the fundraiser, and both my husband and I play in adult league."

In the short term, this is basically a lost season for advancement, especially for the older players.

“It’s going to be potentially detrimental to development,” Nordin said. “You might lose some kids.”

But the hamlet remains hopeful there will be a next season and possibly some assists.

“You’ve got to stop the bleeding some time and kind of turn around and lick your wounds and just see what’s best for our community and our facility,” Knopp said.

2:08 Minor hockey in Edmonton will return this year, but will look different

“I really would love the government to sit down and look at the importance of facilities like this and programs like hockey and other sports for kids and how important it is for their physical and mental health,” Good said.

“It’s kids, it’s adults — everyone is missing the game.”

— With files from John Sexsmith, Global News