THUNDER BAY - Thunder Bay’s busiest hockey hive is in need of some major upgrades according to general manager Kevin Quinte.
It’s why the Thunder Bay Tournament Centre is looking to get nominations for a fund from Kraft Heinz Project Play.
“Everyone can see what the problems are because we all use it,” Quinte said.
Over the past eight years, the project has contributed over $2.2 million dollars to 68 communities across Canada.
2017’s grand prize winner will receive $25,000 towards an upgrade.
Quinte says the centre is in desperate need.
“Our lighting is inefficient; it’s not as bright as it could be; our boards are a little out of place; and anybody who uses the showers knows you’re going to get one hot and one cold. We’d like to fix problems like that.”
Quinte says the facility is used almost every day of the year, and the high amount of usage is taking its toll.
“We have over 400,000 a year in foot traffic, and the place is battered from it,” Quinte said. “We like this arena as a city… but it’s time we put some money back into it so we can keep using it.”
Local olympian Katie Weatherston was at the rink on Thursday, and echoed the same sentiment.
“Thunder Bay is a hockey hotbed,” said Weatherston, who was at the Tournament Centre hosting a hockey camp. “We need to keep up our arenas and support the game.”
Specifically, she cited player safety as one of the major reasons for the potential upgrades.
“I know last year water was leaking from the ceiling, so that was a challenge," she said. “We had ice piles and kids tripping over them and had to put down pylons.”
Nominations for the arena can be made by anyone by visiting the website kraftheinzprojectplay.com.
Only 13 days remain in the nomination process, with the top four finalists set to be announced on September 4.
