The petition
“Let the Players Play!”
Strathcona County currently has eight full-size arena surfaces that are used by thousands of children, youth and their families for a variety of sports including female and male ice hockey, ringette, figure skating, inline hockey, lacrosse and indoor soccer. With a total population of over 80,000 – and growing by more than 3,000 per year – that equals one ice surface for every 10,000-plus people. Most smaller centres in Alberta have at least one and often two arena surfaces for far fewer people.
The County has set minimum Standards of Play for team sports, such as hours per week and roster sizes, which we are barely meeting now and will NOT be able to meet in the next year. No new facilities are even planned for up to seven years but the population and demand for arena-surface sports continues to grow. We believe seven years is TOO LONG to wait for a generation of young people who will be shortchanged by the arena-surface shortage.
Given the current and growing shortage of arena surface time, many of the recreational programs that require arena-surfaces will have to cap registration for the first time in our County’s history! That means children and youth who want to play will be turned away.
As with any community asset, increasing access to arena surfaces will cost money – but it is money very well spent. Team sports are a critical cornerstone of our community. The whole community benefits when children and youth have the opportunity to participate in activities that promote teamwork, leadership, personal achievement and lifelong health and wellness. Parental involvement brings the community together, fosters volunteerism and creates lasting friendships.
By signing this petition you will show your support for IMMEDIATE ACTION on the arena-surface shortage. We will present this petition to our community leaders as evidence that people in Strathcona County want our community to spend money NOW (and over the next 10 years) to ensure our children and youth have the facilities they need to grow and develop.
Thank you for your interest and support!
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HELP US GET THE WORD OUT! Send the link to the petition to everyone you know! The faster we build support, the faster we can meet the needs of our players.
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Sign the petition
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