Like many summer camps, Hudson Bay town council and the summer hockey school committee are wondering what this summer will bring for their summer hockey school.
The week-long event normally takes place in June and brings 110 hockey players from ages six to 15 to Hudson Bay, as well as Glen Gulutzan, assistant coach of the Edmonton Oilers, to lead the school. However, with current public health guidelines restricting public gatherings, Jeanine Holowatuik, the community development director, said the long standing community event is not likely to go ahead.
“It was filled up in early February. So now moving ahead, we are looking at our options as far as what we can do, but unfortunately, it might look like postponing it until next year.”
Part of that decision depends on the provincial government laying out guidelines for recreational facilities, Holowatuik said, which will impact all of their events at the Hudson Bay recreation centre, including hall and meeting room rentals. Given the timing of the hockey school, Holowatuik said she doesn’t expect those guidelines to come out in time for the event to go ahead.
Besides the guidelines for what happens in the facility, Holowatuik said they would also need guidelines for what happens in the dressing room and on the ice.
Not only is the event good for Saskatchewan hockey players, Holowatuik said the event brings players and their families to the area for the week which provides a boost for local businesses.
While Holowatuik said the cancellation of the event is likely, town council will finalize their decision during their next council meeting on June 9 following a meeting of the hockey school committee.
