A significant policy shift announced last month by the Ontario Hockey Federation has Collingwood hockey representatives scrambling for more ice time in town for next season.
On Jan. 13, Collingwood Minor Hockey Association (CMHA) president Dave Epp deputed to council, pleading for help in trying to adapt to the recently announced policy change, which will mean any player can play in any league unencumbered by border restrictions.
“I wouldn’t be here unless I was out of options,” Epp told councillors. “Hockey programming will be compromised for our kids and our families.”
The new province-wide policy, unveiled on Dec. 17, removes residency restrictions for players in U10 and above, across all levels of minor hockey from AAA to house league.
“Collingwood is a high-demand location. Everybody wants to be in Collingwood,” he said. “I’ve got a pile of emails from people asking what Collingwood hockey is going to look like next year because they want to come here.”
“We’re going to be turning away players. We will have to cap it. We’ve never experienced that before, but we’ll be experiencing it now,” said Epp.
Ice time in Collingwood has been a hot topic for years, and the town has long-term plans to eventually build a multi-use recreation facility in order to ease the strain. However, the plans are still being looked at through a joint feasibility study being undertaken in collaboration with the Town of the Blue Mountains, and the results have yet to make it to either council table.
Epp says minor hockey can’t afford to wait.
“We’re at an ice time shortage. It’s critical. We need it right now,” he said.
Epp said the league has done its part to ease the strain through having split practices (where two teams practice at the same time), early morning and late night practices, moving practices to other communities and some teams have used the Central Park outdoor rink to practice.
“The leagues are accommodating Collingwood because of our shortages. We have nothing left,” he said.
Epp estimated that the CMHA currently has 96 per cent membership who live in Collingwood. With the border rules changing, he said he’s working to find out if it’s possible for the Collingwood league to still take Collingwood residents first before opening the door to players from other communities.
“We have plans in place to prioritize local membership,” said Epp.
Short-term, Epp said he’d like the town to explore adding walls and change rooms to the Central Park outdoor rink, following the town approving a roof for the rink this year. But the clock is ticking, with only eight months remaining until next season kicks off in September.
“The weather is unpredictable, so it’s a day-to-day decision on whether a team gets a second practice for the week at the outdoor rink. To get ice immediately, it might be the only option,” said Epp. “We need something, ASAP.”
At the end of the deputation, Coun. Kathy Jeffery put forward a notice of motion to have staff develop a plan to maximize ice time in Collingwood which will include a capital plan for the enclosure of the Central Park outdoor rink, including the construction of dressing rooms. She asked that the item be considered urgent by town staff.
The motion will be considered by councillors at their Jan. 27 meeting.
