The West Point Fire Department, hosts and organizers of the annual fundraising event, decided late Thursday to delay the start of the tournament until Saturday, turning it into a one-day, all-day event.
Rain and mild weather on Thursday, coupled with forecasts of heavy snow on Friday, had organizers doubting they could get the mini-rinks on their large pond ready in time for games Friday night.
“It’s all about the weather tomorrow,” West Point fire chief Harvey Stewart commented.
Games will start at 10 a.m. Saturday and the schedule is expected to conclude with the division championship finals at 7:30 p.m.
Stewart said volunteers will be working Friday night to get the 10 mini-rinks ready. The events tent will be set up on the ice early Saturday.
The 10 a.m. start, he said, is meant to allow teams from Halifax and eastern P.E.I. time to make it to West Point.
There are 34 teams registered for the four-on-four tournament and Stewart said he’s confident all teams will be attending.
Organizers are eager to get the tournament in after having to scuttle the tournament last year due to back-to-back heavy snowfalls sinking the ice.
Proceeds from the event assist the Fire Department with equipment purchases.
Stewart invites any available volunteers to show up. “It will be a busy day.”
