AMHERSTBURG — Sledge hockey was played at the United Communities Credit Union Complex Saturday afternoon and early reviews are positive.
The Essex-Kent Ice Bullets held a scrimmage at the new complex and that was the first of four Saturdays this month where the organization will hold activities in Amherstburg. Ken Grant, member of the complex's steering committee, said Saturday was a trial run for both players, coaches and rink attendants.
"The feedback from parents and players has been very positive," said Grant.
Grant said representatives from the sledge hockey organization enjoyed being part of the process in designing and building the complex.
"They appreciated us going to them at the beginning stages of the designing and planning because it allows them to use the rink to its full capacity," said Grant.
The complex was designed to there was synthetic ice that could be laid in the benches, penalty boxes and hallways leading to the dressing room allowing for easier access. The bench doors are also lower to the ice surface and the boards along the benches and penalty boxes feature clear glass so that players can see out during the game.
"This is incredible," said Derek Whitson, of the complex.
Whitson, also a member of the national sledge hockey team, said such a facility helps players in their sport.
"This helps out our sport 100 per cent," said Whitson. "This one is by far one of the best."
Corbin Watson, another team member who is also a national team member, was also impressed with the United Communities Credit Union Complex.
"It's fantastic to see this facility," said Watson.
Watson said the new complex "compares really well" to some of the others he has played at. The MasterCard Centre in Toronto is one of the better facilities for sledge hockey he has played at but the United Communities Credit Union Complex is in the same league.
"This is right there with it," said Watson.
Ivan Petkovic, a coach with the junior Ice Bullets team, was impressed with the complex as well. His son Trajan is also a sledge hockey player.
"It's amazing," he said. "It saves me a lot of lifting, which I appreciate."
Petkovic said at some rinks, a lot of time is spent lifting players and their sleds in and out of benches and penalty boxes but with the design of the United Communities Credit Union Complex, it allows for more time to be focused on hockey. He added most players want as much independence as possible and being able to do things for themselves helps their confidence.
"We want to play hockey. We don't want to battle getting on the ice and getting off the ice," said Petkovic.
Petkovic, an Amherstburg resident, said the complex is the best he has seen in his four years of being involved with sledge hockey. Trudy Blanchard, a Chatham native, said only the venue at the Paralympics in Vancouver topped the Amherstburg complex in her ten years of being around sledge hockey.
