The hockey program runs until February 11. (submitted photo/BGC Battlefords)

By Angela Brown

Popular program

BGC Battlefords hockey program sees good numbers

Jan 10, 2024 | 4:23 PM

There are more choices for families wanting to get their kids into ice hockey, but concerned about the cost.

BGC Battlefords is once again starting its hockey program, which provides kids with free skates and equipment, at the Don Ross Arena in North Battleford.

Nicole Combres, executive director of BGC Battlefords, noted the program is already filled up for the current season.

“Our hockey program is an annual program we offer to our members free of charge,” she said. “BGC Battlefords offers a variety of special programs. Our hockey program is definitely one of the most popular.”

The program for youth ages five to 14 started Jan. 7 and runs every Sunday until Feb. 11.

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“We are so fortunate to have really great coaches and volunteers who come out each week to help teach the sport of hockey to a big group of kids, some of whom have never played the sport before, and some who have never even had skates on their feet before,” Combres said. “It’s a great program. We’re really excited to be able to offer it to the kids in our community.”

Each year registration opens in December for the co-ed program that kicks off in January.

“We have over 40 kids registered for this program,” Combres said. “They’ve all been fitted for their hockey equipment. We’re back on ice Sunday, Jan. 14. It’s for anyone interested in learning the sport of hockey.”

BGC Battlefords provides all the equipment that’s needed, as well as the ice time, coaching and a snack to wrap up each session.

A number of years ago, BGC Battlefords had all its hockey equipment damaged due to a leaking pipe in the arena’s equipment room. Fortunately, BATC Community Development Corporation (CDC) came to the rescue by providing a grant for the club to replace the equipment to continue the program.

“BATC CDC really stepped up and helped us by purchasing all new hockey equipment for our members,” Combres said.

Each program participant is fitted with a set of hockey equipment to use for the duration of the program. Then, the equipment is cleaned and re-used for the following year’s use.

“They get all dressed up in their equipment and head out onto the ice for an hour of hockey, and then they get to head on home,” Combres said. “This might be our longest running special program. I’ve been with the club over eight years, and it has been running many more years than that.”

A big plus for the program is that it offers all kids, whatever their family’s financial situation, an equal opportunity to play ice hockey.

“We know that opportunity changes everything, and participating in organized sports can be quite costly,” Combres said. “That’s just one of the barriers that many of our families face to getting their kids involved in pro-social activities. By us providing the program, and providing it free of charge, along with all of the equipment that’s needed, we’re able to break down some of the barriers to getting kids active, and experiencing new opportunities.”

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Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @battlefordsnow