The Smithers Steelheads have been juggling their schedule after news of the Smithers Civic Centre’s delayed opening this season.
The arena, which is the local CIHL team’s home ice, is one of two sheets of indoor ice in Smithers.
It was scheduled to be opened earlier this month, however, the project to replace the ice plant has been halted for another six weeks due to a challenge in producing and shipping a vital piece of equipment.
Steelheads President Jeremy Chadsey said they’ve had to move some of the start times of their home games and will be playing in the new arena, which isn’t ideal.
There isn’t as much seating, which means the team may not get as much money from ticket sales. The team, which is a non-profit organization, makes around $2,000 a game—money that he says is important to keep the team alive.
He said they average about 300 fans a game but sometimes closer to 500 and the new arena has a capacity of 350, including the players and staff.
“There is a capacity situation that might stop people from not being able to come,” he said. “I’m worried people, showing up with their kids, and they can’t get in. Unfortunately, it is what it is, and we just have to say it’s first come, first serve.”
He added the team is used to swimming upstream and is still in a rebuilding mode. The Steelheads didn’t have a team for a couple of years after not having enough players and then the pandemic hit and now they can’t use their home ice. He believes this won’t stop their momentum and fans will still come out to support them.
The Steelheads hosted Williams Lake on Sunday, Oct. 22. at the arena in New Hazelton.
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