Dear Editor:
I just wanted to write this letter to the residents of Yorkton and area after attending the most entertaining weekend I can remember in a Yorkton rink or still known to me as the Yorkton Parkland Agriplex.
The Tournament had 16 teams made up of 4, 5 and 6 year olds that played their hearts out on the big stage where their local Yorkton Terriers play. The Tournament organizers, parents, volunteers and the sportsmanship of players, coaches, referees and fans was second to none. Let’s not forget the ice flooding crew they were ready to go when scheduled awesome job guys.
There were lineups at the canteen all weekend long because these little hockey players and their fan base spend money. The parents and grandparents really pulled their wallets out with 50/50 tickets reaching $300 per game paid to the winning number that I’m sure is a all time record at this level. Hats off to the parents for supporting the best game on the planet by allowing your little people to play this great game in record numbers.
It would be interesting to tally up the revenue local hotels, restaurants, shopping centres generated because these little hockey players brought the show to town.
After saying all this I’m betting the accounting still shows a negative result for this city building or asset over those two days. I am just asking but is it maybe time we restructure our accounting methods and own up to what these Hockey Tournaments really generate for a community. Is the old Kinsmen Arena being operated at the expense of our little people and is it not time to look at adding a couple ice surfaces to our beautiful Agriplex?
Let’s never forget these little people are our future and the future of our communities.
A Grandparents Opinion!
Tim Stoll
Yorkton, SK
