(Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

Support for North Stars

City to keep ice in case SJHL is allowed late season start, depending on COVID-19 restrictions

Jan 26, 2021 | 3:42 PM

The City of North Battleford agreed to keep its ice open longer at the Civic Centre in case the province’s COVID-19 restrictions ease up and the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) is able to proceed with a late season start this year.

Mayor David Gillan said there are many “ifs,” and essentially the city just wants to generally show its support to the North Stars.

“The pandemic is the biggest question,” he said. “Will there be a lifting of restrictions? There are a lot of questions because we are almost into February, and things are still not great.”

Parks and recreation director Cheryl DeNeire discussed the issue at council’s meeting Monday following a request received from the president of the Battlefords North Stars Hockey Club.

The SJHL is considering a shortened spring season, starting at the end of March and ending around the May 24 long-weekend.

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“These dates are not firm yet and would be contingent upon the easing of restrictions by that date,” DeNeire said.

The tentative plan includes 10 to 12 home games during this period.

DeNeire said the latest the city keeps ice in the arena is early in the first week of May. The extension requested is about three weeks longer.

The report also indicated spring ice could possibly be booked to help offset the costs of operating.

The extra cost to the city for the three additional weeks in May is estimated at $8,200.

Administration recommended the Access Communications Centre (the Civic Centre) ice be maintained until May 25 to allow the Battlefords North Stars the ability to play in a shortened spring league, if the Saskatchewan Health Authority restrictions ease accordingly to accommodate the league.

Administration also recommended setting a finite date of Feb. 12 for the SJHL governing body to confirm in writing that they approve the spring season.

“This would allow the city enough time to properly plan and promote new ice bookings during that period,” DeNeire said.

As well, administration proposed entering into discussions with the board of directors of the Battlefords North Stars about the possible reimbursement of some or all of the $8,200 of extra expenses the city expects to incur, once they have a clearer financial picture related to the SJHL COVID-19 relief funds. A plan would then be presented to council for consideration and approval.

The provincial government recently announced $1 million in funding to support the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) during the pandemic in relief funds, however it was not known how the funds might be dispersed.

After some discussion, city council gave its support to administration’s recommendations, as members hope to stand behind the North Stars.

Coun. Greg Lightfoot said he hopes it can give a boost to business as well, if the season does goes ahead.

“I would be willing to help the North Stars out as much as possible because if they are having games here it certainly helps the economic conditions for businesses also hopefully,” he said.

When reached by battlefordsNOW, Jennifer Whyte, Battlefords North Stars marketing and office manager, said the club remains optimistic.

“We are very hopeful that the league will get some kind of approval to have a season, whether that’s a bubble scenario, or however that is going to work. However they can get approval, we’re very grateful that they are still continuing. Because at the end of the day we owe it to our players and to our sponsors, and our community.”

Whyte said the North Stars coaches have worked very hard with the young players, always telling them to “never stop, keep pushing.”

“That is kind of what the league is doing right now,” she said. “We’re holding out hope that our Saskatchewan government and Sask. Health will allow us to continue.”

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW