The state of Calgary's arenas and rinks

[Freeway]

Hey all,

I'm working on a freelance story regarding Calgary's minor hockey community and the barriers to entry for aspiring players - equipment costs and a lack of ample arena and rink space.

So, I ask the CP braintrust: how is the current situation with Calgary arenas (indoors) and rinks (outdoors)? Do we have enough? Are they in the right places? How could the situation be improved?

[Coys1882]

Imagine how many facilities could have been built for the cost of that stupid footbridge.

[Traditional_Ale]

Originally Posted by Coys1882

Imagine how many facilities could have been built for the cost of that stupid footbridge.

Or had a thousand under privelaged kids per year playing hockey for the next 50 years...

[You Need a Thneed]

Originally Posted by Coys1882

Imagine how many facilities could have been built for the cost of that stupid footbridge.

Ummmmm, less than 1?

[Resolute 14]

It is pretty well known that there is a critical shortage of ice time, though the three sheets that just opened at COP, the one or two added at Centennial and the second sheet opened a few years ago at Max Bell help. I suspect that if you looked at recent arena construction and compared it to the city's growth patterns, you would find that the city has not remotely kept up out in the burbs.

Also, and surprisingly, stories like this aren't common on a Google news search for the city.

Of note, I believe the last spectator arena built in this city was the Saddledome, though a 3,000 seat rink will open as the fourth sheet at COP in the near future. Story on COP

You could expand to cover the greater Calgary area. For instance, Airdrie has only three indoor sheets, and the Plainsman arena is damn freaking old. The Twin Arenas were built over 10 years ago, and the city's population has doubled in that time.

Make sure you post your story when it is done. I'd be interested to read it.

[Addick]

Originally Posted by Coys1882

Imagine how many facilities could have been built for the cost of that stupid footbridge.

A fraction of the amount that could be built with the debt created through the current SDA.

[TopChed]

Based on me playing in NCHL in a North division, and playing many games at 11:15 pm in Chestermere, I'd say the situation is pretty ridiculous. As much as a few more outdoor rinks would be nice, more indoor rinks are greatly needed in my eyes.

[Roughneck]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Of note, I believe the last spectator arena built in this city was the Saddledome, though a 3,000 seat rink will open as the fourth sheet at COP in the near future. Story on COP

The AIC is a pretty impressive complex, when that international rink gets up and going it will be quite the facility. How often Hockey Canada uses it will be interesting. The women's team during their centralization obviously but it would be cool if it became the norm for the U20 and U18 camps too (though I understand why they'd like to move those around).

[JayP]

Originally Posted by TopChed

Based on me playing in NCHL in a North division, and playing many games at 11:15 pm in Chestermere, I'd say the situation is pretty ridiculous. As much as a few more outdoor rinks would be nice, more indoor rinks are greatly needed in my eyes.

Yeah, basically every adult rec hockey league is forced to pay good money to play 10:45-11:15 ice times with most games playing at old arenas at the fringe of the city (Don Hartman Sportsplex, Crowchild Twin) or in surrounding areas (Springbank, Chestermere, Okotoks).

Clearly this is a by-product of the lack of arena space for minor hockey as it pushes those practices/games later in the evening and the adult rec leagues have to pick up the scraps. It's pretty apparent that the city's arenas haven't been able to keep up with the growth of Calgary both in terms of population and geographical size.