The newest ice sheet in Chilliwack is ready for action.
The Chilliwack Chiefs will celebrate the opening of the Sardis Sports Complex with a BCHL preseason game against their arch-rivals, the Langley Rivermen.
The junior A teams will face off Aug. 29 at 6:30 p.m., meeting for the first time since the Chiefs rallied from an 0-3 hole to beat the Rivermen in last spring’s best-of-seven first round playoff series.
Tickets for the game are just $2 and must be purchased in advance from the Recreation and Culture Department in Chilliwack City Hall. Proceeds from ticket sales will go to the Chilliwack Firefighters Charitable Society.
The rink, which was built beside the existing Twin Rinks at 5725 Tyson Road, seats around 500 people.
The night will include displays and demonstrations from community groups and free hot dogs.
Chilliwack Mayor Ken Popove will drop the first puck.
“Hockey is a big part of Chilliwack’s identity and I would like to thank the Chiefs for coming across town to help us celebrate the opening of the Sardis Sports Complex,” Popove said. “The continued growth in youth sports and recreational hockey in Chilliwack made this latest sheet of ice a priority and now that it’s completed, I’m looking forward to seeing even more skates hit the ice.”
The need for another ice sheet was originally identified in the City’s 2014-2023 Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan.
The Sardis Sports Complex will be used by several groups including minor hockey, ringette, speed skating, lacrosse and figure skating.
The ice sheet itself is the same size used by the National Hockey League, 85 by 200 feet.
The rink includes five team dressing rooms, an official’s room, a canteen, washrooms and a large multipurpose space.
It comes with energy efficiency and heat recovery for the building and the parking lot has also been expanded.
Chilliwack Council has already approved the renaming of the Twin Rinks building, which will be included in the larger Sardis Sports Complex.
