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November 28, 2015 - 10:30 AM
KAMLOOPS - Administrators at the City of Kamloops have managed to accommodate all recreational groups in need of ice time, although the schedule remains packed after one rink closed indefinitely earlier this year.
Civic facilities manager Jeff Putnam says even though peak skating times were already booked by the summer, he’s happy to report all groups in need of ice time were eventually accommodated.
“Most of them are during prime time. They basically filled any posible gap we had across six ice pads,” Putnam says. ”It’s been quite positive; I’m actually amazed about how many groups we’ve been able to accommodate."
Putnam says twelve groups have signed on for ice time and will have less desirable times, adding there are groups who are adjusting to 11 p.m. hockey games.
“They seem to be thankful just to have some ice,” he says.
Earlier this year there was concern some leagues would have to travel to nearby rinks in Logan Lake or Chase to fit schedules, but Putnam says he hasn’t heard any groups doing so. He notes the city has even made space for a hockey program at the downtown Sandman Centre after group members were travelling to Chase for practices last year.
The concern for ice time began after the Ice Box Arena, a private facility, closed because of a mechanical issue. The location is now listed for sale.
Putnam says the closure has spurred the likelihood of a feasibility study next year to determine if another sheet of ice is warranted.
“We’re probably at that point where we want to start looking into the future but it’s not on the front burner right now,” Putnam says.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Glynn Brothen at gbrothen@infonews.ca, or call 250-319-7494. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
News from © iNFOnews, 2015