Downtown Penticton's free-to-use skating rink, now in its second year of operation, is apparently enjoying a spike in popularity beyond even the most optimistic forecast of its organizing body.
That’s the good news. The less optimistic news is that a collection of troublesome hockey players is making life rough for everyone -- from public skaters to volunteers to the folks who created it.
Drew Barnes, rink visionary and president of Activate Penticton, the non-profit organization that formed around the facility concept in 2019, spilled the beans Wednesday afternoon.
"The rink has been used a lot more than we could have imagined," he started. "It's been a bigger success then we ever thought it would be.
"Winter break was very successful. Kids of all ages and skating abilities were out there, up to 60 people using it at a time."
But, and it's a big but, many of the folks wielding hockey sticks and shooting pucks are constantly crashing the party.
"Since December 15th," he said, "I've had 24 emailed complaints about hockey players and one phone call. All the issues and complaints we get are related to hockey.
"It's just not being shared when hockey players are on the rink, and we need to educate them on how to share it and how to follow the rules. And when they're permitted."
According to Barnes, those with sticks are not respecting the space of those without.
"Hockey players are as comfortable on skates as they are walking to the TV room," he said. "And they're stickhandling and chasing each other through families.
"It's pretty bad, and we're just realizing now that hockey and public skating can’t mix on one skating rink."
Barnes said Activate Penticton has posted signs and indicated on its website that hockey players must adhere to certain regulations. But, he stressed, those regulations continue to be ignored and the organization doesn't have the bucks to police the site.
So going forward, hockey is limited to Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 6 and 8 pm. And, just as importantly, Barnes wants to see shinny, not hockey.
"We're essentially saying they can’t play full-on hockey at the rink," he said, adding that there'll be modified "softer" pucks in use and modified nets that are regulation width but just 12 inches high so players aren't compelled to "raise" the puck when they shoot.
Furthermore, players must adapt to the skill level on the ice at the time and wear skating gear rather than "full-on" hockey gear.
And "ambassadors" will be on hand during shinny nights to ensure players are adhering to the time slots and the rules.
"Subject to demand, we'll expand those hours," Barnes said, adding that the rink will be shut down completely for a week for reassessment if the regulations aren’t followed.
But there's another issue beyond wayward hockey players. Vandalism.
"It's mostly the washrooms," said Barnes. "They're being used by a select number of people to do illegal things in, because I think they're a warm place to go.
"And they keep getting vandalized despite being penal grade quality."
According to Barnes, the washrooms are the City's responsibility rather than Activate Penticton's, but that doesn’t make the optics look any better. Washroom hours are now restricted, and other solutions are being pondered.
As are other site and rink improvements. "We're still fundraising and trying to make improvements," explained Barnes. "We'd like to add permanent netting, string lighting, and other improvements we couldn’t do so far because our budget is too tight.
"And we're still very receptive of donations. The new Zamboni that arrives next week is $20,000. Operating costs are about $15,000 per year. And permanent netting and string lighting is another $20,000."
Going forward, said Barnes, fans of the outdoor rink can look forward to the introduction of on-site skate rentals in February, a much overdue name-the-rink contest sometime in the next few months, and a full day of BCHL activities (skills competition, alumni game and 3-on-3 all-star play) Jan. 21 during the league's Penticton-based 50th anniversary celebration.
To donate to or find more information on the outdoor rink, which is currently open 8 am to 9 pm every day for freebie public skating with the exception of those 6 pm to 8 pm Tuesday and Wednesday shinny slots, hit up the website here.
