Recommended new facility in Charlottetown should consider 6,000 seats
No shortage of hockey available on Boxing Day
The recommendation that the City of Charlottetown proceed with plans to build a new recreation complex is great news for residents of the P.E.I. capital, and for the entire province.
The new complex is needed as age has caught up to Simmons Sport Centre while the Eastlink Centre has too many limitations for hosting events, and is not a fan-friendly arena for spectators.
I have said before that a new complex is not necessary in our capital city, but one cannot help but see what a vibrant and growing city Charlottetown has become.
The Charlottetown Chamber of Commerce welcomed 200 new members this past year, which indicates great growth in business. This, in turn, attracts people to Charlottetown.
The plans are for a 5,000-seat arena, with an ice pad that would be similar to Credit Union Place in Summerside, at a cost of between $74 and $81 million.
If the complex goes ahead, it should have at least 6,000 seats, which would allow for hosting events such as the Tim Hortons Brier, the Canadian men’s curling championship, and world men’s curling championship.
The 1,000 additional seats would be worth the extra cost.
P.E.I.’s Brett Gallant and Adam Casey curl amongst the best in the world, and both have bright futures in the sport. A new facility would enhance any men’s curling event that Charlottetown could host.
The Charlottetown Islanders of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the National Basketball League of Canada’s Island Storm are two solid franchises that would have even brighter futures with a new facility. The 2019 Memorial Cup will be played in either Halifax or Moncton, making 2022 the next time the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) hosts this prestigious event. What a great tournament that would be for the Islanders and P.E.I.
More concerts and many more events could be hosted in a new facility. Hopefully it all comes together, and we have a great facility for everyone to enjoy.
MHL
The MHL (Maritime Junior Hockey League) is on its Christmas break. The Summerside D. Alex MacDonald Ford Western Capitals’ next game is at Eastlink Arena against Campbellton on Saturday, Dec. 30, at 7 p.m.
A look at the games played in December indicates parity throughout the league. There have been 32 games to date this month, with 18 of those being one-goal games and six more decided by only two goals. It can’t get much closer than that, which is what fans want to see.
Boxing Day hockey
There are good hockey games taking place on Boxing Day.
The Island Junior Hockey League’s Arsenault’s Fish Mart Western Red Wings take on the Kensington Moase Plumbing and Heating Vipers on Tuesday in Abram-Village at 2 p.m.
At 5 p.m., Canada and Finland hook up in the traditional Boxing Day opener of the world junior hockey championship in Buffalo, N.Y. Then at 7:30 p.m., in Kensington, major midget Hockey takes the spotlight as the Monaghan Farms Wild hosts their rivals from Charlottetown in what will be a very good game at Community Gardens.
Golden Knights
The Vegas Golden Knights continue to be the talk of hockey. Anyone who saw the Golden Knights’ game against the Tampa Bay Lightning this week would agree it was great hockey, with the intensity of a playoff game.
The Lightning has the best NHL record to date, and is a favourite to win the Stanley Cup. That didn’t matter to the Knights as they overcome a 2-0 first-period deficit and beat the Lightning 4-3.
There is just no quit in this team, which just keeps coming at you, prompting the Tampa Bay announcer to say they are like a “dog after a bone.” The Golden Knights are in second place overall in the Western Conference, and are only two points behind Los Angeles with three games in hand. They are fun to watch, and show no signs of letting up anytime soon. The Knights are at home to the Washington Capitals on Saturday in a 9 p.m., local time, start.
I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas, and all the best for the holiday season.