We have been hearing "soon" for a long time now. I guess "soon" means July. I thing the city puts a bunch of excuses in a bag and every one draws one and the dumbest one is used.That is the story of the city of P.G. They have had plenty of time to sort the schedule out to make time for all who wants to use it.

How about you volunteer some time and help out these VOLUNTEERS who are trying to develop a policy that will work for everyone. It's not as simple as it sounds and can take a lot of time if you also have a real job, a family and many other commitments.
I'm so sick of hearing people complain about volunteers who give, give, and give more and get nothing but abuse.
And again...no I'm not a member of the OIOS, no I don't skate there, and no I'm not related to any of them.

Thank you realitycheck. I am one of those people who volunteer 20-40 hours a week for our community ( besides my full time job )in a variety of ways. I plan meetings, events, update websites, answer endless calls from people usually at weird hours and under stress. It is so nice as the various events playout, and sometimes don't go perfect, and yet someone nice comes through and even just says thanks for the evening. That, for me makes it all worthwhile.

Once again. Thanks

For years there was at least 1 hockey rink when the ice oval was situated on the old exhibition grounds race track. Generally there are far more young people playing a game of hockey than people skating on the oval. As an occasional user of the facility it was quite easy to see parents would bring their kids, the older boys would join the hockey game and the moms and tots would use the oval for pleasure skating. Last year the hockey rink left a lot to be desired as far as the ice surface was concerned. There were several patches of bare dirt to try and play around and skip over but many young kids had a great time on the outdoor rink.
It is readily apparent that a outdoor hockey rink is needed in close proximity to the ice oval. Possibly another volunteer group needs to be organized. I am sure the city taxpayers contribute both financially and also with equipment to the ice oval society. Possibly these funds and equipment could be shared.
The problem that occurred last winter between an audult speed skater and a teenager resulted in the hockey rink being closed and has in effect caused the delay in opening the ice oval. It would seem everyone knew there was a scheduling issue last winter and only now is an attempt being made to solve the issue.

What 'policy' was in place that allowed the speed skating lobby to get their facilty bought and paid for with taxpayers' dollars, outside of the normal City budget process?

And what 'policy' allowed the 'sale' of the valuable gravel to one local contractor, outside of the normal City procurement / surplus disposal procedures?

Sounds like 'policies' are only relevant when the City wants them to be.

It is typical bureaucracy at work. The city is involved now, so they have to have all the red tape to justify someones' existence and to cover the citys' behind in the event someone is injured due to a scheduling conflict eg. if speed skater and hockey player come together. It is only rational to expect that the speed skaters should have the oval to themselves at practice time, so it seems just as obvious that we need a bit more ice, as Resident says. Now that we have this facility, the equipment, and all the (GREAT) volunteers, we don't need the government meddling with the operation of it.
metalman.

Why is everything that has ice in it, always have to be hockey, hockey, hockey! I for one am sick of hockey. There I said it..now string me up lol. There are several venues that kids can go play hockey at, or...make your own rink, but it sure would be nice if we could just have a nice rink for family skating and not have to see a puck or a hockey stick on it and trying to always pay attention that we don't get hit by a puck or something. A nice relaxing skating outing with the family or a girlfriend(or boyfriend) would be very nice.

I agree , a venue for skating only is a good idea.So lets get rid of the hockey players and speed skaters or implement the plan of having different user groups on a schedule.If the hockey players go then the speed skaters have to go too.

what is wrong with the ice at the civic center or didn't they put it in this year. Seemed to me to be a perfect spot for the family skate.

As long as there are people involved, there will be issues. As long as there are problems, there will be those forced to intervene. Let's get along. Let's see how we can help. Let's see how we can make some suggestions that cater to all concerns.

Let's also keep in mind who is behind most of the work done and the time volunteered to provide this facility. In my view, it's a speed skating oval first, but there is room and time public skating as well.

Hockey? That seems to be where the problems have arose. Maybe hockey should be played someplace else.

It will be "warm" soon. Duh!!

No problem with hockey, the problem arises from the childish nature of some of the speed skaters