ATHABASCA – Athabasca could soon be home to its own hockey academy, based out of Edwin Parr Composite School in the upcoming school year.
At the March 19 Aspen View Public Schools board meeting deputy superintendent Dr. Karen Penney made a presentation concerning the hockey academy to board trustees citing the proximity to the Athabasca Regional Multiplex as a bonus.
Aimed at Grade 8 and 9 students, it will provide students of any skill level wit an opportunity to take part in receiving coaching from a certified teacher that is affiliated with Hockey Canada.
“It takes approximately 10,000 hours (of training) for an athlete to fulfill their potential,” Penney said. “There is no requirement for any student to have a specific skill set.”
There is already a certified teacher on staff and the academy would fit into the options portion of the school schedule, she added.
“Grades 8 and 9 are the best fit at this time,” Penney said, but added Grades 10-12 can help out by refereeing and helping to train as a special project.
“Twenty to 30 is a manageable group. If we go over (30) we may have to look at other components.”
Dryland training would start soon after school resumes and continue until the ice was available in the Multiplex.
There is a $1,500 cost from EPC to Hockey Canada and students will have to pay $300-$350 to participate Penney told trustees, with a minimum of 15 students needed to make the program viable.
Students will also need CSA-approved equipment and Penney noted that programs like Canadian Tire’s JumpStart could help families offset the cost if they don’t already have hockey gear.
The downside is where to store all the equipment while students are in other classrooms, so solutions are being brainstormed, Penney noted.
“We are looking at the logistics of storing the equipment at the school,” she said. “But administration at EPC is aware and working on ideas.”
The trustees were wholeheartedly in favour of starting the academy.
Trustee Anne Karczmarczyk said, “I think it’s a great opportunity for Aspen View.”
Chair Candy Nikipelo added that the program would be recognizing the potential Aspen View saw when EPC was built by the Multiplex.
“I think our dream is coming true,” she said.
The program is offered in other school divisions with success and Penney noted it may be an opportunity for Aspen View to strengthen ties with municipal partners and a chance for local businesses to partner with the school to support the program.
“The interest is overwhelming,” she said. “I’m fairly confident it will be a big attraction for our students.”
Heather Stocking, TownandCountryToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @HLSox
