Vancouver minor hockey squeezed by Olympic construction

Thousands of Vancouver minor hockey players will get less ice time next season because of the reconstruction of two rinks that will be used as Olympic practice facilities.

The Vancouver Park Board has voted to go ahead with the work at the Killarney and Trout Lake rinks, despite opposition from parents and their children who attended Monday night's meeting, with manywearing hockey jerseys.

"The board's perceived financial and scheduled risks are not enough of a reason to destroy the programs of our children," said Gaye Collins.

The park board, however,did make one compromise on the timing.

It had wanted to start rebuilding the two rinks in March and August to avoid cost overruns of $400,000.

But construction at Trout Lake will be delayed until December, and will only close for half a season.

"It's not perfect for the families, and it leaves us some concerns about the budget.But it's better than thinking about either the finances or only thinking about the kids," said commissioner Spencer Herbert, who proposed the compromise.

But Ian Hayward with the Thunderbird Minor Hockey Association said that the change won't make much difference, as families will still have to scramble to get ice time elsewhere to finish the hockey season.

"One can always say three months lost is better than a season lost. I want to give them some credit for trying to do what they could to assist us as much as possible.I don't know if we'll be able to run half a hockey season."

The two rinks are touted as Olympic legacy venues. But Hayward said it's not much of a legacy if it means kids won't be able to play hockey next year.