With the high competition for ice time on the indoor rinks, the Fairbanks School District is investigating using outdoor ice facilities for practices to allow for a January 4th start date for high school hockey in the Fairbanks area.
According to Wayne Sawchuck, West Valley Athletic Director, “We want to give our kids the opportunity, so we’re looking into that right now. If we can provide a couple practices a week and a game a week — they (Fairbanks hockey players) have a lot of pride, they want to play high school hockey. Even if it’s limited schedule, they’ll do it.”
Two indoor rinks in Fairbanks — the Patty Center and the Big Dipper Arena — are currently allowing practices; but not games, and the Carlson Center is closed to activities. North Pole’s Polar Ice Rink is allowing games.
The Fairbanks school district allows for outdoor practices and competition until the temperature drops below minus-15. On the Kenai Peninsula, the temperature cut-off is -10 degrees.
Sawchuck stated, “Normally I would say no — up until the last nine months. The kids need each other, they need the physical activity. And coaches are such good mentors, touching base on their academic state and always doing grade-checks, and that’s a big thing too.”
Outdoor hockey was the norm in the early years of peninsula hockey with Kenai and SoHi playing on outdoor rinks located on campus, Nikiski hockey used the Jason Peterson ice rink and even Homer High skating outdoors (with an occasional trip to the SRSC for practice).
The Kenai Kardinals home ice at the Kenai Multipurpose Arena is considered a hybrid, outdoor facility. The Kevin Bell Arena in Homer is currently open with mandatory mask requirements. The Soldotna Regional Sports Complex is open with mandatory mask requirements.