It didn’t draw quite the same crowd as the Montreal Canadiens Alumni Game, but that last game of shinny played in the Jubilee Arena March 22 was nonetheless significant.
For the 14 players on the ice, it was probably even more significant.
Brady Ducharme, Colby Ducharme and John Foster attended the Canadiens game, and decided they would bid on the chance to have the last two hours of Jubilee Arena ice time. And for $2,200, they said it was definitely worth it.
“It was well worth the price. The experience of being able to play with the guys we grew up playing hockey with was great,” Colby said.
“This was a good excuse to have the one last hurrah after we spent so much time there.”
The rest of the players on the ice, some who played minor hockey together and some who play in a recreational league together, all chipped in to cover the cost of the time and the refreshments.
In between shifts, Foster and Brady shared their thoughts on what it meant to have that last bit of time.
“Mixed emotions, for sure,” Foster said before quickly heading back onto the ice.
“It’s nice to be here but it will be sad to see it go.”
Brady echoed that sentiment, adding he looks forward to seeing the new Westlock Rotary Spirit Centre completed.
“There’s a lot of good memories in this building, for sure,” he said. “But this is an exciting time for the town.”
He added he has a lot of particularly fond memories in the arena, like hosting provincials with his bantam team or winning the league banner when he played midget.
“When we won the banner at home, that was pretty exciting,” he said. “I’ll never forget that game.”
Colby also said there were many good memories in the building, but added he’s really looking forward to getting into the Spirit Centre.
“We’re all quite excited to get on that new ice surface,” he said.
“Obviously none of us are playing minor hockey, but those of us that are staying in town will probably have kids playing in there.”
He emphasized he sees the new facility as not just an opportunity for hockey in Westlock, but for a host of other user group as well.
“There’s a great number of things that can be done in there, as well,” he said.
The 49-year-old Jubilee Arena will remain standing until some time later this spring, and it will still get some use as the lacrosse association begins it season with some practices in there.
Next fall, however, it will be a parking lot and a new set of players will create a new set of memories in the new Spirit Centre facility.
