The Golden Rockets are set to play home games based in Cranbrook as the Golden and District Recreation Centre is currently closed indefinitely due to an ammonia chiller failure.
According to the KIJHL schedule, the Rockets are set to play their home games in Cranbrook starting now up into January as the Town of Golden works to resolve their arena issues.
“Due to the chiller being out of commission for the foreseeable future at the Golden Arena, the following will be our home game schedule in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League through the balance of the month,” reads a statement from the KIJHL website.
In addition, the Rockets will be holding practices in Invermere and Canal Flats throughout December.
“The Rockets acknowledge the great assistance from the Cranbrook Bucks and the City of Cranbrook during this challenge,” reads a statement from the team.
Nathan Lieuwen, president of the BCHL’s Cranbrook Bucks, has stepped in to help out.
“We are excited to bring some hockey games to Cranbrook and create some good out of a tough situation for Golden and their team,” Lieuwen in a release. “It was a no-brainer for us to help out and bring their home games here.”
Refrigeration technicians and mechanical plant experts have been working at the Golden arena all week since the incident was first reported on the evening of Monday, Nov. 25.
“Entirely as a result of our enhanced safety monitoring program here at the Town, we were able to identify a mechanical problem very quickly,” said Jon Wilsgard, Golden’s Chief Administrative Officer, in a press release. “We are now taking quick steps to mobilize technical resources to deal with this as swiftly as possible while also ensuring public safety.”
The closure is precautionary and there is no danger to the general public around the facility, according to the statement.
The Rockets’ games in Cranbrook will vary from Western Financial Place to the Memorial Arena, depending on the gameday.
December 6, Friday 8:15 p.m. vs Nelson Maple Leafs at the Memorial arena.
December 13 Friday 7:30 p.m. vs Creston at the Western Financial Place.
December 14 Saturday 8:45 p.m. vs Fernie at Western Financial Place.
December 17 Tuesday 6:45 p.m. vs Kimberley at Western Financial Place.
December 21 Saturday 8:00 p.m. vs Columbia Valley at Western Financial place.
Gameday tickets are general seating and available an hour before opening faceoff.
Dan Ringheim, the president of the Golden Rockets, said tickets will be available through the box office at Western FInancial Place. Ringheim added that Rockets volunteers will be on site at both arenas an hour before puck drop for ticket sales, with the ability to accept cash, debit and credit card payment options.
Ticket pricing is as follows:
Adults - $10
Youth (13-19) and Seniors (65+) - $7
Children (6-12) - $5
5 and under - Free
trevor.crawley@cranbrooktownsman.com
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