Local fans who want to catch hockey games from Battleford Arena in the time of COVID-19 could have a new option.
On Tuesday, Battleford town councillors agreed to enter into agreement with LiveBarn Inc. to provide a fully-automated broadcast system for live and on demand games from Battleford Arena to internet connected devices.
LiveBarn is a company that streams amateur and youth sports from venues across North America. Park and recreation director Jordan Schechtel told council they were approached by LiveBarn about coming in to set up a fully-automated sports broadcasting system in the arena. Parents and spectators would be able to obtain a monthly subscription to sign in and watch games. LiveBarn would supply and install the hardware and software and will also retain title to the hardware and software.
They would also pay the town 30 per cent of any revenues generated from a unique sign-up code they would provide the town, which the town could then advertise to help sign up subscribers to the service.
The town would have to provide a dedicated internet connection with an upload speed of 10 MB - something the town would need to upgrade to as they don’t have it at the moment — and the town would post links to the service on their website and social media.
LiveBarn would have exclusivity for automated broadcasts, but this would not stop other media such as SaskTel or Access from broadcasting at the venue.
Councillor Kevin Russell noted that Battlefords Minor Hockey has agreed with this system, and that both the Battleford AAA Sharks and Battlefords AAA Stars are going with the system as well. He said he believes the SJHL are also in talks to use the system.
Russell said having “a uniform system that everybody can use that our community supports is probably the best way to do it”.
Regarding the streaming service, council liked the idea of using it to provide fans an option to watch games if they couldn’t attend in person due to COVID-19 restrictions.
“It’s going to be a great trial for a lot of people to watch,” said Mayor Ames Leslie.
Councillor Doug Laing pointed to the uncertainty about what the SHA or health would do as a reason to approve the streaming system. “I think it’s a good option for now,” said Laing.
There was a question from Councillor Shelley Boutin-Gervais that the system might take away from fans attending the games live, but it was noted some teams could specifically black out their games from LiveBarn if this was a concern.
On the flip side, Russell noted the system offered an opportunity for those living miles away to be able to watch their family members play in town.
He gave an example of a girl from Melfort playing for the AAA Sharks. “This gives Grandma and Grandpa a chance in Melfort to watch their granddaughter play hockey,” said Russell.
Concerns about Beaver Blues season
Boutin-Gervais noted she was more concerned about what the impact of streaming would be on the Battleford Beaver Blues games, who rely on revenues from the gate.
In response Russell pointed to a larger issue facing the Blues — whether they will even have a season in 2020-21 due to continued COVID-19 gathering restrictions on spectators.
“As of right now there’s no foreseeable future that the Blues are going to have a league to play in for this year,” said Russell. “I hope there is. But if you can’t have fans in the stands you can’t have a hockey team.”
The Saskatchewan Prairie Hockey League has been suspended since March and there is no official word yet on whether they will play this season or whether games will be sanctioned by the SHA.
According to their Return to Hockey update from Aug. 12, Saskatchewan Hockey Association has stated they “cannot provide a start date for Leagues throughout the province” and that no games of any kind are sanctioned until the SHA is provided approval from the province and the Sask. Health Authority.
