BARRHEAD - Tiffany Nanninga and her husband, Jonathan, want the Barrhead Bombers and its players to know they are wanted.
The couple called the Barrhead Leader shortly after a story about a group of residents headed by Amanda Batty posted an online petition that not everyone agrees with the creators of a petition asking for the Town of Barrhead to reconsider their agreement with the Candian-American Junior Hockey League (CAJHL) franchise.
"I'm not happy about how [Amanda Batty] included Barrhead Fun Hockey [in the petition]," Tiffany said, adding she is a Fun Hockey parent. "Barrhead Fun Hockey doesn't agree with everything she has said, even though they've included our name in the petition that says they want the organization out of town. We are among the Bombers' biggest supporters."
Sometime in December, Batty, one of the parents of a Barrhead Steeler, created and posted an online petition on Change.org asking Town of Barrhead councillors to reconsider its Agrena user agreement with the team, sending the petition to the town council for consideration at its Jan. 9 meeting. Just under 100 people signed the petition.
"[Barrhead Minor Hockey Association or BMHA] families, Fun Hockey, and many other local groups [i.e. ratepayers] contribute a large portion of the ice rental, in addition to the amount contributed through our taxes," the letter states. "Unless the Bombers, which are a business, contribute an equally large sum, we don't feel it is worth having them in Barrhead."
Johnathon, who coaches one of the Fun Hockey teams, agreed with his wife, saying since the Bombers have come to town, their players have been very active, helping out the program wherever they can, including serving as assistant coaches.
"I've even had them on the bench with me," he said.
Jonathon added that he texted several Bomber players once the survey went public, reassuring them "that we want you guys around."
Shawn Stephani, one of the long-time organizers of Barrhead Fun Hockey, said he was surprised to learn that the petition's creators decided to include Fun Hockey's name in its letter.
"Barrhead Fun Hockey has been a supporter of the Bombers since they've come to town," he said, adding that in addition to helping coach, several Bomber players have served as Fun Hockey referees. "And every year, as part of our year-end party, we go to a Bomber game."
BMHA president Tyler Batdorf said the association has no connection with the petition and wishes the Bombers every success.
"My personal opinion is anything that promotes hockey, no matter what kind or level, is a good thing," he said.
However, he understands Batty and other parents, volunteers, and the players involved in youth ice sports' frustration about the lack of available ice time, as he shares it.
He is also quick to point out that regardless of the Bombers and even Fun Hockey, the association would still be able to have teams searching for available ice for practices.
"The problem is the lack of useable ice times," Batdorf said, adding BMHA teams practice twice a week, with games on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It is ridiculous. Our [U18 teams] are getting off the ice from practice at 11 p.m., and then they drive home. Some of our players come from as far as Whitecourt."
Although Batdorf said early morning practice ice is available, adding it is not feasible or realistic for players, especially younger players.
"The Bombers are using practice ice that we don't, and while they use weekend ice for their games, which might be helpful to us, the real problem is that there is not enough useable ice between Fun Hockey, figure skating and all the BMHA teams, there is not enough ice to go around."
As a result, he said some teams have looked outside the community for practice ice at the rinks in Fort Assiniboine, Rich Valley, or Linaria, adding that depending on the age group, some of those rinks might not be suitable.
"It is great that we can use those rinks and support those communities, but in the end, we are Barrhead Minor Hockey, and our membership wants to play in Barrhead," Batdorf said.
As for Ali Virani, the owner and general manager of the Bombers, while he understands everyone may not be a supporter, he wished Batty had gotten all the facts correct before creating the petition.
"We practice early in the morning when no one else uses the ice. And for game ice [on the weekends], we take the latest available and work with Barrhead Minor Hockey Association to minimize the disruption we may have," he said.
As for the ongoing dispute regarding the Steelers' dressing room, Virani considers the issue done, saying the original agreement that included the exclusive use of one dressing room was done well before he or the rest of the staff and current roster of players became involved with the franchise.
Virani also said that Batty and the people who signed the petition do not consider all the efforts and events the Bombers players do in the community.
Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com
