Working in the Corners

By Kelly Sharp

I call it the challenges of a multi-purpose facility. For the first time since the CN Centre, formerly the Prince George Multi-plex , was built a Western Hockey League game was not completed on PG ice.  Dangerous ice conditions forced postponement of the third period between the Prince George Cougars and Everett Silver Tips.

The reality of an event driven facility is set-up and take down time between non ice activities. The change over process is not easy. Did you know for a Vancouver Canucks game a staff of 50 makes the on-off ice transition at GM Place? In Prince George, a staff of 8 handles the duties at the CN Centre.

On the subject of regulating the arena ice temperature ask an icemaker about the catch 22 scenario. Cooler conditions means harder ice, the hockey player is happy but not the spectator who wants a cozy environment to watch the game.

The bottom line is mistakes happen, but take a close look at the track record of the city crews who maintain arena ice. It’s pretty impressive.

Pre-empted because of ice problems and various events at CN Centre further compounded a major issue for Prince George minor hockey – the need for more ice time. 

Try fitting 1200 minor hockey players into six arenas already maxed out with user groups. Men’s recreational, women’s, old-timers, and gentlemen hockey leagues all use city facilities. Of course, city ice is needed for speed skating, ringette and figure skating. There is a prime opportunity for private business to step in and build a modest new arena.

Unfortunately I cannot see public dollars moving in that direction.

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