Trappers say multi-pad ice complex by Memorial Gardens the best option

A multi-pad complex behind Memorial Gardens.

That’s the recommendation from the North Bay and District AAA Trappers Hockey Association when it comes to replacing West Ferris Arena.

Officials say having a new facility like this would allow the city to bid on high profile events and allow their group, and others, the opportunity to host larger tournaments.

They say that will create more economic spin-off, which is currently going to other northern centres because they have the facilities to host these events.

The association also says since the return of the OHL to North Bay when the Battalion franchise relocated here from Brampton, hockey has expanded.

That has helped to grow their own program.

They say it has led to a record number of local players being drafted into the OHL, with many more now playing Junior A, B or C hockey across Canada.

Here is the full submitted opinion piece:

Citizens, politicians, user groups and city staff are all trying to put their heads together to try and figure out what the best alternative is for a proposed arena project.

Our North Bay and District AAA Trappers Hockey Association is currently comprised of six teams in the region. With West Ferris arena set to officially close in 2019, we believe the best alternative for the city is to build a multi-pad complex and have it located behind Memorial Gardens.

A one-stop location with multiple pads does a few things. Firstly, it replaces the aging West Ferris arena. However, while West Ferris has been put on the chopping block, the Pete Palangio arena (double rinks) is not far behind and is expected to hit its expiry date as soon as 2025 or maybe sooner.

With Sports Tourism high on the city’s priority list, a new facility like this would allow the city to bid on some very high profile events such as the Royal Bank Cup, Telus Cup, Esso Cup, World Juniors or perhaps another exhibition NHL hockey game. From the association perspective, a new multi-pad complex at Memorial Gardens would allow us and other organizations an opportunity to host larger tournaments that can create more of an economic spin-off for the region.

There is no way any events of this magnitude can be hosted here in North Bay, which is holding the area back from millions of dollars in economic impact on a yearly basis.

North Bay wants to attract people and events to the city, but from the hockey side, our facilities hamper us in being able to host events.

Places like Timmins, Sudbury, and Sault Ste. Marie can host those events ahead of North Bay only because they have better facilities than we do.

Furthermore, hockey has expanded since the North Bay Battalion arrived in 2013. Having the OHL back has helped grow the Trappers AAA hockey program. That has led to a record number of local players being drafted into the OHL and even dozens more that went through the Trappers system and are now playing Junior A, B or C across the country.

Let us not forget the life lessons that these young players learn while they are playing the game of hockey. The Trappers AAA Hockey Association prides itself on developing good trainers, coaches, and players but more importantly developing good people that take their experiences with them to whatever career/sport that allows them to pursue.

This isn’t about a question what we can afford to do, the reality is we cannot afford not to look at this for the future and that includes all the ice arena user groups in our opinion.

Jim Hall
North Bay & District Trappers AAA Hockey Association