When it comes to a choice between politics and playoffs, the winner is obvious, especially when the home team is poised for Stanley Cup glory.
The Vancouver Canucks’ run to hockey’s greatest prize has prompted Township council to shift its meeting time on June 13, as it conflicts with the scheduled sixth game of the Cup final series against the Boston Bruins.
Instead of postponing its afternoon and evening sessions for that day, council decided on Monday to combine both meetings. Council’s business will start at 2 p.m. and end no later than 5 p.m., the time that all playoff games start.
Councillor Jordan Bateman proposed the change, noting that even the provincial government has rescheduled HST forums to accommodate fans.
Normally, meeting dates are not changed if public hearings have been advertised, but this is not the case for June 13, administrator Mark Bakken advised council.
At Bateman’s suggestion, council agreed that staff should investigate the feasibility of opening the Langley Events Centre so that the public can view the games on the arena’s big screens.
Bakken said that staff would have to check that there are no licensing issues which could arise if fans are charged an entry fee or have to pay for food and drinks.
Last year, the Events Centre was opened up so that fans could watch the Olympic gold medal game between Canada and the U.S.
