Hockey parents push for $9.5-million rink

Hockey dad and coach Kevin Willerton admits to getting a serious dose of rink rage when he looks out upon the lone indoor rink at the southeast Family Leisure Centre.

Willerton is among a group of volunteers called Building for their Future that ispushing to construct a second sheet of ice for $9.5 million. He's upset that a shortage of ice in Calgary has meant practices for his 11-year-old son have been cut back to three times a month.

"Our kids just aren't getting access to hockey like we think they should. We thought we should do something," he said.

Calgary has 48 sheets of ice available for public use, most owned by the city or community groups. A report commissioned by the city last year concluded Calgary will need at least 10 more sheetsby 2010.

While city officials agree it's a problem, finding the money to pay for it is another matter. The only arena project underway in Calgary is at Max Bell Centre, a project financed by the Calgary Minor Hockey Association.

"It is a major undertaking. You can't construct anything in this city cheaply anymore so a lot of money needs to be raised, but I think that's exactly how that has to happen," said Murray Briceland, spokesman for the Calgary Minor Hockey Association.

To build a second sheet of ice, Willerton said the group needs $4.7 million from the city, $2 million from the province and the rest they'll come up with through corporate donors.

Area alderman Ric McIver likes the idea, but says more study needs to be done before the city will put up the cash.

"When we do look at more arenas, we will consider which ones are more valuable and a better deal for the taxpayers."

Willerton is hopeful that financing could be in place by 2008, with the new rink opening in 2009.