Ice will remain in the Castor Beaverdome a little longer than expected.
Originally slated to come out after hockey season ends in March, Castor council has made the decision to extend the ice in the arena to allow for a six-week girls’ hockey program.
Council received a request from Shiana Younger, one of the organizers of the program, during council’s early February meeting.
In the letter making the request, Younger noted that in an ID Skate held at the end of January, 40 girls showed and expressed interest in the program with eight others being unable to attend but also interested.
Youth participating in the program will be coming from as far away as Davidson, Sask., and Brooks, Alta., as well as closer communities such as Irma, Alta. and Coronation.
“This will give the town a boost,” said Mayor Richard Elhard, in a recent interview.
Elhard noted that town chief administrative officer (CAO) Donna Rowland had “worked the numbers” prior to bringing the request to council.
“We won’t lose money on this.”
Additionally, the Simpsons, who currently run The Penalty Box concession in the arena, have agreed to extend their contract and provide services for the additional six weeks, according to Elhard.
As well as the girls’ hockey program, Elhard says there will be other opportunities to rent the ice out as well.
The Theresetta Knights Hockey program could extend its use of the facilities, and the facility could be rented out to individuals who want to do their own on-ice training program when the ice isn’t being used by the program.
“We’re sitting in a really good position to do this kind of thing,” said Elhard.
Elhard noted that with the new ice plant, which was installed last summer, the Beaverdome is operating “really efficiently.’
As part of the girls’ hockey program, Wayne Filipenko has offered to return to the community and run a coaching clinic and a full-day camp for each team.
The program is presented to support, develop, and “foster the growth of competitive female hockey” in the region, according to Younger’s letter to council.
Younger notes that during the duration of the program, tournaments will be held for each age group at least twice, bringing in at least a minimum of 80 kids, and associated adults, into the community.
The program is expected to begin on March 30 and run for approximately six weeks using the Beaverdome for around 100 hours including a hockey school, two tournaments and some exhibition games.
According to Younger’s letter, girls’ hockey in the region has been growing and with current numbers, the 3Cs Minor Hockey Association could potentially field U11, U13, U15 and U18 teams when the hockey season starts this fall.
Council voted unanimously in favour of approving the ice extension.