onovan Cousineau
Dear editor:
I am writing today with a complaint about the lack of shinny hockey at the Memorial Arena.
I have been playing in the Fort Frances minor hockey program for eight years. Anyone who knows me knows that I enjoy the game, and would like to be skating 24/7.
Our ice in Fort Frances has been in since the end of July, which is great, however, the ice is not available to use. I do not understand how the ice is unavailable when no one is actually using it.
Earlier this month, for example, there was a PeeWee ‘AA’ tryout at 9:15 on Saturday morning, then the ice sat empty for the rest of the weekend with no scheduled shinny hockey. This past weekend, there were a couple of Sabres’ games and the girls’ hockey program had ice time. But there was no scheduled shinny hockey.
These weekends are not exceptions, but seem to be the normal situation.
I think that it is really interesting that the only available weekday shinny hockey is from 11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m. when I am in school. If that is all the ice time available, I would be okay, but it isn’t—the ice sits empty.
I did put in a complaint at the arena. I was told indirectly that there is no shinny hockey because there is no one there to clean the ice. When I skate on the outdoor rinks, there is no one there cleaning the ice; I don’t need it cleaned at the arena, either.
I’ve heard a rumour that the lights are expensive to run, so the town is saving money. If the rink isn’t being used, the lights aren’t on. Maybe the town could save money in other ways.
The kids in town may not all feel the same way I do, but for those of us who want to stay physically fit, skate, have fun, and not be sitting with idle time on our hands, give us some ice time. At least give us some reasonable answers.
Maybe Mr. Avis would like to help out with this problem. If the town wants kids to be active, then give us the ice time.
I am disappointed and just want to skate. I have a membership to the Memorial Sports Centre and would like to take advantage of the amazing facility that our town is so proud of.
Thanks for your time.
(Signed),
Donovan Cousineau (Gr. 9)
Fort Frances, Ont.
