Lacrosse teams may get a chance to play a game or two on home turf after all as the recent demolition delay of the Jubilee Arena means the facility will stay standing for at least an extra month.
The arena, originally scheduled to be demolished at the end of April, will now be available to the Westlock Lacrosse Association for practice and game space up until the end of May.
Town manager Darrell Garceau said that the unexpected delay will be a bonus for the Lacrosse teams who were forced to schedule all away games this year.
“Given this exercise they can use the facility through the month of May as well,” he said.
Association president Dan Basisty said the delay is great for the lacrosse teams that might not have to travel for every home game to St. Albert or Edmonton.
“That’s good news. I haven’t had a conversation with the town manager yet but there might be a possibility that we get a couple of home games here in Westlock,” Basisty said.
As practices have already begun at Jubilee, Basisty said they’ll continue holding practices there as long as the floor is dry and there is not too much humidity.
For home games, however it would not be as easy of a decision as he would need to speak to the Greater Edmonton Lacrosse Counsel (GELC) to see if he can make changes to the schedule.
“We have to bring it up to the GELC in Edmonton because the game schedule for the season is already out. I had to give a decision a few months ago and they had to go ahead with the scheduling, but I can always re-approach them,” he said.
Basisty said he will first approach the town to confirm how much extra time the association can get this season as the game schedules have not yet been released.
"I am optimistic with the odd game at the later part of the year, but I can't guarantee anything just yet, " he said.
