SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — It is a devastating loss to Tyne Valley, surrounding communities and all those who used the Tyne Valley Community Sports Centre.
Last Sunday's fire has left the community heart-broken and scrambling to fulfill the needs of its user groups.
Strong community leadership is vital at this point and going forward to get the Community Sports Centre rebuilt.
"If anybody can do it, we can, I'm pretty positive it will all happen,” said Tyne Valley Mayor Jeff Noye this past week.
With those words coming from Noye, there is little doubt in my mind that a beautiful new facility is just a matter of time. He was instrumental in getting the Rock the Boat Music Festival going and that has turned into a real success story.
His positive, forward-thinking attitude is what is needed at this point. The estimated cost of a rebuild is somewhere around the $6-to-8-million mark, and it’s expected that about $3 million of that will come from the insurance policy on the old structure.
It is a huge undertaking, but the folks in charge know it is doable as other communities have done it. Both Tignish and Evangeline have newer facilities and I'm sure both will offer all kinds of advice and ideas on how to go forward.
It may be a bit overwhelming at this point, but there is no doubt that time will pass quickly and before you know it, the official opening night will be here and the Tyne Valley Community Sports Centre will once again be the vibrant community meeting place it has always been.
All those involved with the rebuild will be better off with the experience of helping out and just think ahead to the opening of the finished facility if the going gets a little tough at times. The rebuild won't be easy, but very satisfying when completed.
Good luck to all involved!
Curling
The provincial men's and women's curling championships are set to begin Wednesday in Montague, with Championship Day on Sunday, Jan. 12.
Eleven men's teams, including defending-champion John Likely, will compete for the P.E.I. Tankard while just five women's teams will battle for the P.E.I. Scotties championship. Ten-time provincial women’s champion, Suzanne Birt, returns with her team to defend her title.
She will be joined by the Veronica Smith and Melissa Morrow rinks from the Silver Fox Curling Club in Summerside, Amanda Power from Charlottetown and the Tammy Dewar rink from Montague.
This year's winner will earn a trip to Moose Jaw, Sask., for the Scotties Tournament Of Hearts Canadian women’s championship from Feb. 15 to 23.
Included in the men’s field are the Darren Higgins and Jamie Newson rinks from the Silver Fox and the Rod MacDonald and Eddie MacKenzie teams out of the Charlottetown Curling Complex.
The men's winner earns a trip to the Brier in Kingston, Ont., from Feb. 29 to March 8.
Spengler Cup
Canada has once again won the Spengler Cup championship in Davos, Switzerland. Canada has now won 16 Spengler Cups in total, which ties them with the host team for the most ever by one team.
Canada is made up of players playing in Europe and includes two Maritimers who have played in the Maritime Junior Hockey League.
Defenceman Alex Grant is from Antigonish, N.S., and played for the Bulldogs in 2004-05. He played four years in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) with Saint John and Shawinigan and was drafted in the fourth round, 118th overall, by Pittsburgh in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.
Grant has played in seven NHL games and has two goals. He now plays in the KHL with Jokerit Helsinki.
Andrew MacDonald is from Judique, N.S., which is in Inverness County. He played from 2003 to 2005 with the Truro Bearcats and two more seasons with the Moncton Wildcats of the Quebec Major Junior League.
MacDonald was drafted in the sixth round, No. 160 overall, and has 586 NHL games to his credit, scoring 28 goals amongst his 161 points. He now plays in Bern, Switzerland.
World junior championship
It is semifinal Saturday at the world junior hockey championship in the Czech Republic. Canada plays against Finland and should advance to Sunday’s championship game against the Sweden/Russia winner.
Two Atlantic Canadians play for Canada, including 18-year-old Dawson Mercer from Bay Roberts, N.L., and Jared McIsaac from Truro, N.S., who was recently traded from Halifax to Moncton in the QMJHL.
Mercer plays for Drummondville and is one of five players from the QMJHL on Team Canada. Mercer is draft-eligible this year while McIsaac is a Detroit Red Wings’ pick.
Hopefully, both will be on the blue-line on Sunday singing the Canadian national anthem as world junior champions.
Next year's championship is in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alta., and Canada will host five of the next 12 tournaments.
Canada will host again in 2024, 2026, 2029 and 2032. Sweden hosts in 2022 followed by Russia in 2023. The United States will host in 2025 and 2030.
Have a great week!
Joe MacIntyre is a local life insurance broker. His column appears every Saturday. Comments and suggestions can be sent to [email protected].
