If you’re looking to lace up the skates and take to the ice on a city-owned rink in Burnaby, there are only three choices. But that could soon change.
Late last year, city council asked staff to look at the possibility of building more ice in the south slope of the city and authorized a feasibility study.
Dave Ellenwood, Burnaby’s director of parks, recreation and cultural services, explained the study is looking at several locations for a new facility in the city and also whether to build one rink or a twin rink.
A couple of possible locations for the new facility include the Edmonds area and Bonsor Park, but he noted a final decision hasn’t been made.
Ellenwood also said the city is still studying the demand for one or two rinks, adding a two-rink facility would likely have multi-purposes.
“I think we’re going to try and make it as functional as possible but not leave it short in terms of amenities like meeting space,” he told the NOW.
Ellenwood suggested demand for ice time is an important consideration in the process, pointing out the last arena service review was years ago, and since, there has been significant growth in the South Slope area.
“We know the demand is there now and we know there’s going to be future demand,” he said, adding the city wants to provide for more adult groups, lessons and public skating.
The cost for a new twin rink would be between $15 and $25 million, with the funds coming from the city’s density bonus program.
There are currently three city-owned rinks in Burnaby: Bill Copeland Sports Centre, Burnaby Lake Arena and Kensington Arena.
Ellenwood said there isn’t a specific timeline when the study will be complete and in front of council for a decision, but the intent is sometime in 2016.
And new ice couldn’t come fast enough for the Burnaby Minor Hockey Association.
Larry Hayes is the executive administrator of the local association and said a new rink is a long time coming, and he’s not too picky where the facility is located. He said the minor hockey association is “maxed out” in terms of accommodating the number of players and offering reasonable ice times to entice new members.
Hayes said everyone wants the prime ice times, but it’s difficult to provide with just three rinks.
He also noted there has been an increase in the demand not just for game time, but ice time for skill development as well as a growing interest by kids and families from non-traditional hockey countries.
“More ice means more possibilities that we can provide that for a greater chunk of the population,” Hayes said.
“It’s been pretty tough with the ice that we have right now. It would be nice to have a little more options available.”
While the minor hockey association eagerly awaits the plans to move forward, the city is also conducting a second study to determine the future of the Burnaby Lake Arena as part of the CG Brown Pool redevelopment.
Ellenwood said the city is also looking at fixing up the arena, but the municipality doesn’t want to take it out of commission until a new rink is in place.
