Wednesday, September 16, 2020
Southpoint Sun - 17
Sharks, skaters and minor hockey relieved
Wheatley arena will open within two weeks WHEATLEY — Thanks to the continuous efforts of two Chatham-Kent councillors, Wheatley Area Arena is expected to open in the next couple of weeks. Prior to Monday night’s Chatham-Kent council meeting, the three main ice rental groups at the arena had already made arrangements to go elsewhere. Councillors Melissa Harrigan and Mark Authier pledged to fight for Wheatley Arena, and as a result, they’ve managed to get all arenas in Chatham-Kent on the schedule to re-open.
MELISSA HARRIGAN
Harrigan expects it will take anywhere from seven to 12 days to get the ice ready at Wheatley. Prior to Monday’s meeting, only three out of the 10 arenas in Chatham-Kent were open. According to Harrigan, there was little opposition to opening right away. “We managed to get most of council to agree to waive the notice to open up,” she said. “I’m just happy we were able to help.” Southpoint Minor
hockey normally commits to about 20 hours a week at Wheatley arena, while Skate Wheatley uses about the same. The Wheatley Sharks normally use about six hours per week. The total would approach 50 hours a week at Chatham-Kent’s most outlying ice pad. After reaching out to Chatham-Kent administration with their ice time needs, all three groups had heard nothing back confirming their ice time requirements. Faced with not having ice available to them, both hockey groups opted to rent ice in Leamington and the figure skating club soon followed suit. The Wheatley Omstead Sharks’ 2020-21 season will not begin until early December, according to team spokesman Darryl Glasier. “The Sharks still have time to start our season in Wheatley,” he said on Monday. Glasier, who is also involved with Southpoint Minor Hockey, says the minor hockey group is ready to hit the ice next week. Southpoint has traditionally rented ice in Wheatley and Leamington but with Wheatley not available, Leamington had agreed to take on the bulk of ice time for SPMHA. “We have had ongoing talks with our neighbouring municipalities and Leamington has been
The Wheatley Area Arena, photographed on Tuesday, September 15, 2020. The arena had been sitting idle as other rinks in the area began to open up. There was a fear that Wheatley would be left out in the cold and the three major user groups would have to skate elsewhere. Sun photo
more than gracious,” said Harrigan. Members of the Active Citizens of Wheatley Facebook page reached out to CK administration but got less than satisfactory replies, citing COVID safety restrictions as the reason that the arena has not opened yet. Harrigan and Authier’s efforts are well appreciated. “It’s important for Wheatley to get up and running and be available for rentals,” added Harrigan. “I hope everyone can get the word out and let’s fill up the schedule.”
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