Kids play hockey on the ice at East End Community Club in January 2023. (Terrance Whitehead/Facebook)

By Derek Craddock

WHERE'S THE ICE?

Warmer weather puts community clubs behind on putting in ice surfaces

Dec 29, 2023 | 3:00 PM

The warmer-than-average weather so far this winter has impacted some local community clubs, which are just now starting to catch up.

Many community clubs have fallen in getting their natural ice surfaces ready to go for the minor hockey season.

President of the West Hill Community Club Paul Ross told paNOW that their rink attendant was able to get their ice going.

“I think we’re one of the only or the few natural ices in Prince Albert that are rolling right now inside. But in the next week or two, I’m sure the other clubs will be catching up normally.”

Ross said normally their natural ice surfaces would be ready to go by the end of November or early December, but the warm weather pushed that back a couple of weeks.

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“Here we are last week of December and clubs are fighting to get their ice in. So, it’s been a big challenge for not only the natural ice in Prince Albert, but I know all over the province as well.”

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Community clubs like the one in West Hill rent out their facilities to minor hockey teams. The Minor Hockey Association said the lack of ice in these centres has delayed their practice schedules for some teams by a few weeks but is hopeful they can have more ice surfaces ready in January.

Ross pointed out that these community clubs make a difference for the local hockey teams and their families.

“Our ice fees are a little cheaper than if we’re artificial ice because their operational costs are less and so the community clubs really help supplement ice fees for minor hockey in Prince Albert, keep it more affordable,” he said.

Another struggle that these clubs appear to be facing is finding people to join their Board of Directors.

Brad Rock with the Crescent Heights Community Club said in an email that they’re always looking for those to volunteer their time on the Board of Directors. They have also been lucky with their arena staff having been around for a long time.

However, other clubs aren’t as lucky and Ross is hopeful that as the page turns to the new year, residents will step up to join these boards.

“My kids all went through minor hockey and I kind of feel it’s my way of giving back to the hockey scene in Prince Albert and also the community club that they played in,” he said. “So I guess just to maybe use this as an opportunity to invite individuals that might be interested in not only West Hill but the other community clubs if they’re interested.”

Those interested can contact the City of Prince Albert or any of the local community clubs.

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derek.craddock@pattisonmedia.com