This weekend marks the municipal elections in the province of British Columbia and for many of the BCHL cities; this is an important time to implement change from outside the league. Almost every community has candidates running for the position of mayor and city councillors that will impact teams in some shape, form or manner. Exercise your democratic right, do some research on the candidates – ask questions if you have to – but most important get out and vote.
I can think of one municipal election that will have a great impact on the British Columbia Hockey League, its teams and the fans of every team in the league. I am referring to the referendum in Quesnel for a new arena and theatre complex. This has been on the docket and discussed for many years. In this one person's opinion, it is something that can greatly improve the game of hockey, not only in the city of Quesnel, but also for every team that plays against the Millionaires. It also has the potential of impacting the league as a whole.
It seems like a slow process at times, but it is a process that many teams would like to be a part of and many already have – the design, construction and occupancy of a new arena to call their own. This year, the Penticton Vees took over residency in the South Okanagan Events Centre and although I will not see the facility until after this blog is posted, I am told it is a beautiful arena with a great deal of potential. A few years ago, the then-Langley Hornets moved to the Interior Division and have since taken ownership of the Royal LePage Place facility.
In fact it isn't that long ago teams like Salmon Arm, Victoria, Vernon and Alberni Valley ended up in new facilities and have been able to forge ahead in surroundings that bring the quality experience of the game up for the fans in attendance.
The Quesnel Millionaires would surely benefit in a similar fashion; the community of Quesnel as well as the entire BCHL would also benefit in the long run. So of course I would be for the decision to build a new arena in the community of Quesnel for all fans of the game, the Millionaires and the BCHL as a whole.
Weigh the pros and cons, listen to the candidates, check out their websites and on Saturday, November 15th – exercise your democratic right and vote in your municipal election.
Ron Gallo, the voice of the Prince George Spruce Kings, will be blogging the Interior Conference during the 2008/09 season. Check back often for Ron's insights into the latest news from the BCHL's Okanagan and Northern-based teams.
