Portage pond hockey tournament expanding
Travis Foster, Rotary Pond Hockey Chair, announces Jan. 19 during the Portage Rotary Club luncheon, its Pond Hockey event this year will be more of a family event. While keeping competitive teams at the centre of the mix, non-competitive and even kids' teams being included will help grow the event this year.
Portage la Prairie's annual outdoor pond hockey tournament is expanding.
The 11th annual EF Moon Western Canadian Pond Hockey Championships will feature multiple divisions for the first time. Alongside the traditional competitive division, a non-competitive division and youth division (ages 12-17) will be added in hopes of attracting a wider variety of age and skill levels to the event.
“Up until this year we've always had just one division. The calibre of players was kind of all over the map and we'd been asked to divide it up,” said tournament co-ordinator Travis Foster. “We're hoping (it) will bring in some new blood and attract people that just want to have a fun weekend.”
Preparations are already underway outside the PCU Centre. Construction of the playing surfaces has begun and ice-surfacing by zambonis will be starting this week, according to Foster. The Portage Rotary Multi-Purpose room in the PCU Centre will once again serve as the indoor home base for the event, where hot food will be available for registered players.
Added to the lineup of festivities surrounding the pond hockey tournament is the 3rd annual Cabin Fever Reliever social, presented in partnership with the Portage Potato Festival. The social will take place on Feb. 13 and feature live bands, a 50/50 draw and a raffle. Registered players in the pond hockey tournament get free admission. Tickets are $10 to the general public. Proceeds go to both Portage Pond Hockey and the Potato Festival.
“For the past 10 years pond hockey has been ran in Portage, we've been able to distribute over $50k to initiatives in (the community),” Foster said.
In the competitive and non-competitive divisions, the cost is $300 per team to register. The youth division is $100 per team. Individuals who wish to play but don't have a full team are asked to contact Foster via email at Travis.Foster@freedom55financial.com to be accommodated
The tournament is scheduled to run from Friday, Feb. 12 until Sunday, Feb. 14. The full schedule for the tournament will be released on http://www.portagepondhockey.com as the start date nears.
There are currently 12 teams across all divisions confirmed and Foster is hoping to have that number up to 20.
One uncontrollable factor: the weather. Hopefully polar vortexes, Alberta clippers and other formidable forms of cold fronts time their arrivals February arrivals appropriately.
“We're hoping for a nice weekend that's a little warmer than last year,” said Foster. “Cause last year was pretty cold.”