In what some are calling a “turf war” between the NOJHL and the CIHL in Ontario, it would appear as though one CIHL team has yet to secure its home “turf”.
Over the last few weeks, TJHN has been investigating reports that the CIHL’s Sudbury Royals do not have an ice contract to play out of the Capreol Community Ice Arena. In June, an announcement was made that the Royals would play out of Capreol, yet the City of Sudbury and multiple officials have confirmed to TJHN that they do not have an ice contract and are unlikely to receive one.
In an email, the City of Sudbury said the following;
“The City of Greater Sudbury has advised the organizers of the Canadian International Hockey League and the owners of the Greater Sudbury Royals that the City can not commit to any ice time for the 2014-2015 hockey season until the annual ice allocation meeting in mid September.
The City of Greater Sudbury has also advised that with the Chelmsford Arena being down for renovations this upcoming season, it is unlikely that requested ice times will be available.”
In a follow up email, another city official responded when I asked why would the City allow the Royals to then make the representation that they were indeed playing out of the Capreol Arena;
“it would be inappropriate for us to comment on the individual operations of any community group.”
In a report obtained by TJHN funded by the City outlining all of the ice needs and usage in the Greater Sudbury area, http://agendasonline.greatersudbury.ca/index.cfm?pg=feed&action=file&agenda=report&itemid=2&id=670 as well as upgrades needed to all the area’s facilities, it became very clear that the displacement of Capreol Arena users throughout other area facilities does not leave much room for any new users to receive ice time.
Prime time ice hours had the Chelmsford arena operated at a 98% capacity for ice usage with its user groups. Capreol Arena operated at an average of 88% ice usage for both sheets. Non prime hours saw Chelmsford at 50% usage, and Capreol at 27%.
While all the ice usage is great for the arenas and shows strong support from user groups it also shows that with so many users being displaced for the season that ice availability is be minimal at best. Even with the Chelmsford users being disbursed to other local arenas, the addition of another group at Capreol, such as the Royals becomes next to impossible.
In another email obtained by TJHN, City officials are voicing their concerns internally;
“Please check this attachment. It refers to a Jr A Hockey team who will apparently be playing out of Capreol this year. I have been assured that they do not have ice time in Capreol nor in any other Greater Sudbury Arena so how can we permit these false statements to be spread without some sort of comment to the contrary.
The proponents of this team are out there actively signing up players (at a high fee) plus collecting advertising support from the community..
I have serious concerns about the intentions of this team and league and the ultimate effect on the integrity of our city as it pertains to sport and sport tourism in the future.
Should this be brought to the attention of the police
Should we put out some sort of statement as to the fact that they do not have ice time booked nor are they likely to get it due to the fact that we are running one arena short…..
Please take a look at this and offer your thoughts.
We cannot just sit back and wait this out.”
In the interest of fairness TJHN reached out to CIHL President and Founder Tim Clayden to inform him of this story and the information in our possession. Mr. Clayden responded simply;
“I have his ice booked and no one knows where but me, a lot of people will be embarrassed come September”
In the hockey hotbed of Sudbury, ice usage is at a premium. Existing user groups are being temporarily displaced and it is likely that such displacement will become a relatively common event in Sudbury for years to come as other arenas receive upgrades and repairs.
Is there room for the Royals in Sudbury? Will there ever be?
David Wagner
