Cheers &Jeers
CHEERS to the Rath Eastlink Community Centre (RECC) for adding another free event to its calendar.
Like they did back in December with the Holiday Cirque’s Holiday Dreams show, the RECC is recognizing not all families can afford a big night out and this time it’s an event that will appeal to hockey fans of all ages.
As part of their 10th-anniversary celebration, the RECC will host a free NHL Alumni Game on Friday, Feb. 10 at 7 p.m. (door will open at 6 p.m.).
Former Nhlers confirmed to be in attendance include Shayne Corson who had memorable stints with two of Canada’s most popular teams – the Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs – while also spending time out west with the Edmonton Oilers. Three more ex-canadiens who will be skating in the game including popular tough-guy Georges Laraque (also an exoiler), Mathieu Dandenault who is probably better known for his role with powerhouse Detroit Red Wings teams of the late-1990s and early 2000s and Newfoundland’s Terry Ryan who followed up on his time on the ice by becoming an author and actor, among other highly-visible ventures.
Another well-regarded NHL heavyweight – Andre Roy – will be suiting up as well as Truro’s own David Brine whose long professional career includes a handful of games with the Florida Panthers during the 2007-08 season.
For the game, there is RECC member early access at 10 a.m. on Feb. 1, and general public access at 10 a.m. on Feb. 2. Event tickets are online only at ratheastlinkcommunitycentre.ticketpro. ca.
JEERS to Westjet suspending flights between Halifax and Europe for the summer of 2023.
The airline said the decision to suspend transatlantic flights from a number of Canadian cities is a response to “capacity constraints impacting the aviation ecosystem.”
A spokesperson for Halifax Stanfield International Airport said it wasn’t a “surprise” when they were informed of Westjet’s decision and there is still nonstop European service from Halifax.
Still, as with most services and industries, fewer options could lead to higher demand which often spins off into higher prices. The airport spokesperson did add they’re looking at other airlines to see what is possible in the region but that it’s unlikely to be filled in 2023. Westjet said they could reconsider for 2024.
Let’s hope one of those scenarios happens and Nova Scotians have the wide array of access they need to travel for work and pleasure, and access to the province remains to help maintain and propel the vital tourism sector.
CHEERS to the moving ahead of work on Truro sports infrastructure projects – namely the repairs needed at the Colchester Legion Stadium, planned work to finally upgrade the TAAC Grounds as a modern track and field venue and location with a multi-use field, as well as the construction of a new seniorsized baseball field which the town has been sorely lacking.
While some may wonder if money could be better spent in other ways, the layers of benefits when a community has enviable recreational facilities can’t be overstated.
If the upgraded facilities encourage young folks to join in and become more physically active, that might be number one, but then there is also the idea that facilities can attract competitions and events which bring people into the community and have them visit local restaurants and stores and, maybe in discovering what Truro has to offer, make the town a place to stop whether they’re attending a sporting event or not. Maybe even move here one day.