Associations pull plug on ice sports

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This article was published 19/02/2021 (1947 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Some ice sports associations are throwing in the towel on this season, saying the Province’s latest loosening of restrictions don’t go far enough for a resumption of play.

On Feb. 11, both the Macdonald Minor Hockey Association and the Macdonald Ringette Association notified members they had officially ended their seasons. Two days earlier, the Province announced it’d allow for one-on-one instruction in rinks, up to 25 per cent capacity. Teams could practice together on outdoor rinks beginning Feb. 12. 

The new rules are set to be in place for three weeks.

“It’s getting too difficult now to promise any value or form of programming to our membership,” said Blake Vasko, the MMHA’s president. “We kind of toed the line as long as we could, and we’ve reached the point of no return.”

Macdonald hockey players are among those who’ve been off the ice since November. They played in October, before the province entered code red restrictions.

Rinks have stayed open for months, racking up operating costs with no income from rentals or visitors. The MMHA and MRA planned to resume practices and, if allowed, games, until the province’s Feb. 9 announcement. 

A typical season ends mid-March. Rinks in Macdonald are now shutting down their plants and taking out their ice.

“We’re not happy about it at all, but this is the direction the Province has gone down, and we have to respect the decision,” Vasko said.

The MMHA is aiming to give its members refunds by April 30. It won’t be a full payback, because there’s non-refundable insurance, and teams used ice in October, but folks will get as much money as possible, Vasko said.

The MRA is working to get refunds to its players and families by mid-March. The association will lose between $6,000 and $8,000 this season, according to MRA president Jodi Sheppard.

“(We’ll) take a loss to ensure fair and adequate refunds, and then we’ll start back up in September,” she said, adding members won’t receive a full refund due to costs like October ice times.

Sheppard said volunteers spent hours planning and re-planning the season, and it was “sad” it had to end this way. But, people showed their dedication by stepping up to try and make the season work, she said.

“It’s amazing what people will do to ensure their kids have sport and somewhere to go,” she said.

St. Eustache Minor Hockey Association has not pulled the plug. It’s worked out an agreement with the Rural Municipality of St. Francois Xavier, and the local community centre, to use the outdoor rink for practices. Teams first hit the ice on Feb. 16. 

There’s still hope players can take their skates indoors in March, according to association president Richard Bell.

“Everybody just wants to see the kids get out and do something,” he said.

Exhibition games with other associations aren’t yet off the table, he said.

St. James Assiniboia Minor Hockey Association is also shifting gears to practices at outdoor rinks. 

“I’m still optimistic that things are getting better in our province,” said Scott Lockhart, the association’s president.

The association’s board is keeping Allard Arena’s ice in until at least the beginning of March. If restrictions continue to ease up, there may be a chance to offer spring programming like skill development camps and competitions, Lockhart said. 

However, if nothing changes by the end of February, then chances of running activities in the spring are slim, Lockhart said.

For now, the association is taking it day by day — coaches continue to phone community centres to book outdoor ice slots.

“It’s been a terrible situation that’s been made great by good people,” Lockhart said.

Game time has ended for the Portage Terriers, and all Manitoba Junior Hockey League teams — the league cancelled the remainder of its season on Feb. 12.

“It has become unrealistic to continue operating in a state of hope with so much uncertainty and no timeline provided,” MJHL commissioner Kevin Saurette wrote in a statement.