Users discuss second ice surface

If last week's Gander Community Centre Fall User Group Meeting proved anything, it was Gander might have to look at bringing in a second ice surface in the not-so-distant future.

Representatives from Gander Minor Hockey, Gander Silver Jets Figure Skating Club, men's and women's recreation hockey leagues, Gander Collegiate Concordes, as well as the Friday night men's hockey league attended the meeting last Tuesday, and, among other things, debated allotted ice times and the importance of a second ice surface in town.

After fighting for practice times last season, the Concordes are just a teacher sponsor away from returning to the Newfoundland Central High School League next season, which means additional ice time is being sought. Also, minor hockey is looking for four additional hours.

With only one ice surface to share amongst at least eight user groups, those at the meeting agreed that Gander should look at getting an additional ice surface. However, Nicole Lanning, chair of the Town's parks and recreation committee, said a lot of work has to get done before council looks at that possibility.

"If we're ever going to get a second ice surface, we need to know if there's a demand for it. Are there additional programs that will fill the demand of a second ice surface?" she asked. "We need to fill 120 hours a week in order to make two ice surfaces feasible."

Ed Beaton, scheduler with Gander Minor Hockey, said house league teams lose about 80 hours a year due to weekend tournaments.

"We have 21 kids on house league teams," said Beaton. "We have no problem getting them two games a week, but try giving 21 kids four or five shifts when you're running the clock."

Many at the meeting brought up the events hosted by the community centre, like Targa, the election, the Newfoundland and Labrador Youth Conference, and hosting the 2010 Olympic Day Celebration, and how much time those events took away ice time.

However, Lanning, as well as councillor Rob Anstey, said user groups need to do more than just voice their opinion on a second ice surface. Council needs facts, figures and statistics - and plenty of them - if the second ice surface even becomes an option.

In this regard, in April, council asked the user groups, as well as special event co-ordinators, to fill out a Gander Community Centre User Group Survey to identify future user demands. As part of the survey, council asked the groups for its membership totals and hours used per season, and asked them to project their figures beyond 2009/10. The survey also asked groups if they would be willing to pay an increased rental rate if a second facility was constructed.

The more facts and figures council receives, the stronger case it can make, said Lanning.

"We need to go back to council and convince them as to why we need a second ice surface," said Lanning.

Anstey said council also needs to explain to the public why they would be paying taxes on another ice surface if one were to be built.

"They can come back to us and say, 'you're taxing us for what now?,'" said Anstey. "We need to prove to them why a second ice surface is needed.

"What we need is a start," added Anstey. "We need a group of people of all walks of life to come together on this."

Other user group notes

Although ice time and a possible second ice surface were the dominant items discussed at the meeting, other important notes did come up.

The group learned that bottled drinks are no longer allowed in the dressing rooms. Michael Richards, recreation operations supervisor, said although there are a few minor issues with bottled drinks, the situation has vastly improved.

The group discussed having extra goalie creases painted by the four circles to the left and right of the nets. These would be used for goalie camps, which attracts up to 24 goalies, and could also be used for youth scrimmages. Each crease would be used as a different station during the camps.

Also, the ice at the rink will be available in September. However, also effective in September, are increased user rates.

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