The Editor,
On the debate of summer ice in Estevan, and with regards to what Councillor Hoffort said and I quote, “Affinity Place was meant to be a facility for everyone in Estevan” and said there are many who haven’t stepped foot inside the doors yet because there hasn’t yet been a reason for them to. Diversifying the entertainment in Affinity Place, he added, should be a priority. Come on, really!
There have been sportsman dinners with some big name celebrities, trade shows pertaining to camping and recreation, etc., numerous concerts of all music genres. I am sure there are some events I have not even mentioned, so if these people have not set foot in this amazing facility yet, well, they probably won’t, no matter what you make the facility available for.
I believe Affinity Place was built in foremost as a hockey/skating facility, and you should take advantage of that opportunity.
I think the City is missing out on utilizing the ice surface in the summer for a summer ice hockey rec league. Many other cities have a league, so why can’t we? The city is missing the opportunity to have different age groups of three-on-three tournaments. There are so many young talented local hockey players that have to travel all over to find a team to play AAA summer hockey that the opportunity to have local teams would be so awesome if there was summer ice. The opportunity for said teams to house a summer AAA tournament or a summer tournament would be a great fundraiser for our local AA minor hockey organization and teams to get a head-start for upcoming fall expenses instead of canvassing your local businesses. Again another win-win situation for the city!
With such an amazing facility and all the new hotels and restaurants, that presents Estevan with the perfect scenario! Why have your local sports teams and families having to travel out of town spending money elsewhere when you could be having all that money coming into our economy, especially with the slowing down of the oil industry as of late.
I personally would hate to see the ice unavailable for summer hockey schools, which would cause local families and their money to have to travel and be spent elsewhere. The amount that comes into your local economy from out of town attendees during the schools I think is a good lump sum spread out through campsites, hotels, restaurants and grocery stores.
I really think with the oil boom on a low, you, as a city, would want to keep local money local and draw in what you know is a for sure cash flow in events that are already working and add to them, not take them away. You have one of, if not the best facility, in this area! Why not take advantage of it and at least try for a year or two with full summer ice!
I do not own a business in Estevan nor do I live in Estevan, but my children attended the summer hockey school, and we have been that family that travelled out of province for AAA summer hockey. I just think the facility needs to be used firstly for its purpose of being an ice arena and enhance that first. I realize that many are not sports-minded in Estevan and want to see more venues, but these people that are commenting they want to see more, here are a few questions for you: Have you taken part or attended in any of the other great things our community has to offer like our art gallery or the Souris Valley Theatre, or football, broomball or baseball teams’ games? How about Koncert for Kids, the ECS drama shows, or any of the other cultural events that have been put on? I did not think so, just my point … those that have not used the facility as of yet … probably will not in the future either, no matter what you bring in.
Remember the old saying, “Build it and they will come!” Well it is built, Estevan, and those that have come like it, and those that haven’t are missing out!
Kevin Pastachak
Bienfait
