The Vancouver Angels girls hockey program were among three Vancouver minor hockey associations who released a joint statement denouncing the NHL's Vancouver Canucks' plan to reduce the amount of available ice in the city by claiming another facility as their own.
A trio of Vancouver minor hockey organizations, including the Vancouver Angels, a girls hockey association, recently put out a joint statement showing concern for a proposed action by the NHL's Vancouver Canucks, that they say will reduce access to ice for minor hockey associations in the area.
The issue stems from a proposed plan for the Vancouver Canucks to build a practice facility that would also remove a community rink at the Brittannia Community Centre from use.
"Representing more than 2,000 minor hockey players and families across Vancouver, the Vancouver Angels, Vancouver Thunderbirds, and Vancouver Minor Hockey Association support opportunities to renew and expand community recreation infrastructure throughout the city," the joint statement read. "However, we are disappointed by the report that the City of Vancouver and the Vancouver Canucks are exploring building a practice facility that could leverage an existing community rink at Britannia without creating desperately needed new ice capacity."
According to the statement from the associations, Vancouver has not added a net new ice rink since the 1970s while demand remains high, and in come cases, is growing.
"Minor hockey associations throughout the city are operating at capacity and, in some cases, turning away prospective players because sufficient ice time is not available. The shortage impacts not only minor hockey but also a wide range of community ice users, including figure skating, adult recreation leagues, and other ice sport organizations.With that in mind, we believe this is an opportunity to think BIGGER and pursue a more ambitious, community-focused vision."
The trio of associations encouraged the City of Vancouver and Vancouver Canucks to look at other solutions, primarily following the model used by the Seattle Kraken when they constructed the Kraken Community Iceplex that added to Seattle's capacity allowing them to host new events. The minor hockey associations suggested a build at the PNE, the same grounds on which the PWHL's Vancouver Goldeneyes play and practice
"A partnership involving the Vancouver Canucks, the City of Vancouver, and a private-sector development or operating partner could help expand ice access, manage capital costs, and create a lasting legacy for future generations of Vancouver families," they wrote.
"We recognize that this is an ambitious vision. However, given the on-going shortage of ice facilities in Vancouver and the growing demand from community users, we believe it is a conversation worth having before decisions are made that fail to address the broader needs of the city's minor hockey and other recreational groups."
