Jane Glenn | March 3, 2026
With programs at full capacity and increasing, demand for ice time in Saugeen Shores is far greater than what the two existing rinks can accommodate and "the situation will only worsen," Becky Smith and representatives of Saugeen Shores Minor Hockey Association (SSMHA) told council on February 23.
In a presentation to council, Smith said she wanted to address ice demand, capacity and discrepancies, to "provide accurate info to council." The inaccuracies Smith was referring to were in a needs assessment report on Saugeen Shores' arenas and sports fields, prepared by London-based consultancy group, Monteith Brown. The report's findings were intended to "set priorities for decades."
However, not long after the report was presented to council in October of last year, members of Saugeen Shores Minor Ball Association attended council to express "deep concern" over "factual inaccuracies" and set the record straight, that their programs were full and growing.
See: Deep concern over ball diamond report
These concerns were echoed by the hockey community. Smith began with a correction to the report: "Minor hockey is not declining in Saugeen Shores. We are not in line with Canada, we are in our own bubble here. We have the largest minor hockey program in the Grey-Bruce-Huron tri-county area."
All ice time in Saugeen Shores is used, with some user groups already having to find time elsewhere, such as in Paisley or Chesley. In the last five years there has been overall growth of 40%, cited Smith. "Girl's hockey participation has more than tripled in the last decade," she said. In 2015, there were 65 girls, this season 190 girls were on the ice.
The increase in demand and lack of facilities to meet it has had a multitude of effects. "Limited ice time leads to limited opportunities and the result is, players leave," explained Smith. "This season we lost 32 girls to neighbouring communities. Over the last six seasons, 75 girls have left Saugeen Shores to play elsewhere. Most are leaving to play a higher level of hockey that we just can't offer because no ice time."
As an example, she said girls who left to play in Owen Sound are on the ice four or five times per week, compared to the two times they could offered in Saugeen Shores. Smith pointed out that there is "extraordinary local talent here." The U11 Girl's Rep teams are ranked 4th and 5th in the province and U11C won the championship last year. "We need to keep our homegrown talent in Saugeen Shores," she emphasized.
Increased demand leads to difficult decisions also. "Capacity is fully saturated," Smith stated. They can overload teams so everyone can participate, but larger teams mean less ice time for all, impeding development. Some players can end up sitting for more than half a game. Or, they have to turn kids away. Smith warned that the situation "will only worsen. Next season, we will have to turn away 20 to 40 kids, many of whom already live and play hockey here," she said.
With ice time fully booked, opportunities for skills development are also limited. As a personal example, Smith said every Wednesday night she drives her daughter to Owen Sound for power skating and she sees many other Saugeen Shores players doing the same. "And what do people also do when they're there? They are buying groceries, shopping, eating at restaurants...every day, all of that money is leaving our community."
Economically, there are other major opportunities being lost, too. Currently, the municipality can only host one tournament per year. Smith pointed out that a lot of money flows into the community during the annual Saugeen Shores Girl's Silver Stick Tournament, which has 36 participating teams, 24 who are visiting, with 15 players per team.
A third ice pad would allow for hosting multiple tournaments, offering an economic boost in slow months like January and February, creating consistent sports tourism for local businesses during the main tourism off-season, Smith suggested.
Smith said she and her husband tried to figure out how much they spend annually on their two kids playing hockey. They estimated between $12,000 and $15,000, with some staying local for fees, skate sharpening etc. but "most dollars are leaving our community for hotel stays, meals and travel. Hockey tourism is a winter economic driver, we should be capturing more locally."
Smith wrapped up her presentation with the key takeaway being that "demand has been significantly underestimated." In the Monteith Brown consultant report, it states that by 2036, there will be 1400 active users. Smith said that if all user groups, including figure skating, Old Timer's teams, all men's and women's teams, SDSS varsity teams and more, that they are already over 1500 now. "Accurate, current numbers are critical so Council can make informed decisions based on today's reality," she said.
Smith summed it up starkly: "We are not planning for future growth, we are already behind."
Vice Deputy Mayor Mike Myatt thanked Smith for her presentation and said he shared concerns about the Monteith report as well. He said from his own experience in a similar situation when he was Recreation Director in Owen Sound, ice was at full capacity but there were doubts if another was needed. Once a third pad was brought in, it also went to full capacity, he said.
Several council members said they understood the need and that if they "had a magic wand," they'd make it happen, but there have been some major capital expenditures lately. It was suggested that user groups and Town staff look at the report and come back with accurate numbers.
Deputy Mayor Diane Huber agreed, however said that any report needs to come back with clear costing given that the community has just invested $20 million recreation dollars into the Pryde Aquatics and Wellness Centre.
Port Elgin Councillor Bud Halpin said that taxpayers are "weary" after a 25% tax increase over the last five years and reminded council "we should be living within our means."
Southampton Councillor John Divinski pointed out that a third ice pad is mentioned in the 10-year plan, for 2034. He suggested that maybe it could be moved up a year or two, with the help of user groups fundraising. He asked Smith if they would fundraise, like user groups did for the Plex and the Lamont ball diamonds.
Smith said they had a very passionate and probably bigger group of users ready to jump in.
It was agreed that all user groups would work with Town staff to compile current, accurate numbers in a report with which to return to Council.
