Young Jasper hockey players can look forward to a season this year, but it will likely look different in this post-wildfire community.
While registration has officially opened, there are no official timelines since the Jasper Hockey Arena is still being cleaned, and even then, dressing rooms won’t be available until the ongoing renovations are completed.
“We are used to different these days, and we want to get some normalcy in our kids’ lives again,” said Jess Prinn, president of Jasper Minor Sports, in an email. “That being said, I've spoken with Minor Sports team in Hinton, and they are very willing to help accommodate us starting our season there again. We have done this in the past, and I know it’s hard to ask families to commute during this time, but until the arena is ready, it will look like this for a bit.”
Prinn noted that Jasper Minor Sports has been working to ensure the season looks as normal as possible.
Rob Olson from Earls Jasper started a GoFundMe to help families with registration fees.
“I know there are several other board members working hard on other donations, which is incredible,” Prinn said. “There are some amazing people and companies out there willing to help, and it's very appreciated.”
As well, Lena Olson reached out to Sports Central in Edmonton, which has committed to donating 45 full hockey sets, goalie equipment and potentially some shinny sets.
“We will take it one day at a time and get everyone on the ice as soon as we can,” Prinn added.
The Jasper Arena had been undergoing renovations for a year, which were originally scheduled to be completed this September, but the wildfire temporarily stopped construction, and now Jasper’s recreation facilities are undergoing a deep clean.
On Aug. 27, Jasper CAO Bill Given told council that cleaning was required in both areas under municipal control and areas under the contractor’s control.
“So, we have two different insurance companies and two different cleaning companies,” Given said, noting they were working on establishing a co-ordinated approach to this.
He added that they were working on the housing needs of these contractors and determining what priority items needed to be completed while the weather is still co-operative.
“Overall, administration understands the importance of having the hockey arena, both economically and socially, around mental health,” Given said. “We’re focused on that, and I would expect to be able to bring an update to council in the next couple of weeks about what a specific timeline looks like for that.”
Given noted that the Aquatic Centre will likely be the first recreation facility to reopen, with the arena to follow.
