A joint effort between the St. Ignace Recreation Department and the Hockey Association is hoped to introduce more young players to hockey, stop the decline in participation, and raise funds to lower youth costs to play the sport at Little Bear East Arena.

The cost to play, a lack of awareness about the youth hockey program, and fewer children living in the area, say members of the Hockey Association, have created a drop in the number of players eight years old and younger from signing up for the sport. The decline in young players eventually will impact the entire hockey program, the Recreation Advisory Committee was told during its Wednesday, October 8, meeting.

The Hockey Association received backing from the Recreation Department and a reduction in ice-rental fees that will keep the cost for players eight years old and younger to $35, which is the cost to register with USA Hockey for insurance. The Recreation Department will provide two hours a week of free ice time, help introduce young players to the sport, and work with the association to develop fundraising activities.

Before the meeting, only two players in the Mite age group of seven to eight years old had signed up to play hockey this season. Under the new cooperation, members of both organizations hope to increase enrollment in the next few weeks.

The 12-week hockey program begins November 15 and runs to February 15. The young skaters would be on the ice learning about the sport twice a week.

A lack of sports participation is not specific to hockey, said the advisory committee chairman, Don Gustafson, who also is the high school principal. School enrollment is down, and there were not enough players to field a junior varsity football team this year at LaSalle High School.

About 60% of Hockey Association members are 13 years and older, 35% are between the ages of nine and 12 years, and 5% are eight years old and younger, said Scott Winkelman of the association.

The Recreation Department is concerned about the future impact on Little Bear East Arena revenues if the Hockey Association has fewer teams and needs to rent less ice time, said city Recreation Director Scott Marshall.

Ice rental is the largest expense considered when the Hockey Association sets fees, said Mr. Winkelman. The association pays $60 an hour for ice rental for the younger players. The association pays about $50,000 a year to rent the ice from the city.

"I believe that the Hockey Association needs assistance," said Mr. Marshall. "I believe that the declining number of players this year will greatly affect the program in the near future."

At committee member Mark Sposito's suggestion, Mr. Marshall will determine the two least used hours of open skating offered at the arena and convert those hours to a free training period for youth hockey players.

"We're investing in our future right now by putting these kids in here to learn to play," said Mr. Sposito, "so we do have a Squirt team [ages 9 and 10] in another year."

Mr. Marshall also said he had been in contact with St. Ignace Area Schools to bring classes to the arena to learn about hockey. Mr. Marshall said he would work with the Hockey Association to organize fundraising, with revenues earmarked to help reduce hockey costs for young players.

"My only concern is, if this is failing and we do help, are we opening the door to be helping with the whole program?" Mr. Marshall said. "And if we don't help, are we opening the door to be helping with the whole program, if the program fails now with the young kids."

Mr. Gustafson suggested the groups work together to see if they can make a difference.

To alleviate some the expense faced by parents, the Hockey Association obtained a grant to purchase 15 sets of some of the equipment, including jerseys, pants, and safety pads, Mr. Winkelman said. Families still need to purchase skates, a helmet, and a stick.

"We have all the people in place. We have a coach, schedulers, volunteers, we have everything," said Mr. Winkelman. "We don't have kids."

Both groups will update the board in November.

On a related matter, talks continue with the Hockey Association on an agreement for concession operations at the arena.

Although it's usually a fundraiser for the association, Mr. Marshall would like to run the concession during open skate times, when in the past it was not always opened by the association. He also wants operation of the concession for any new event he brings to the arena. These occasions, he said, would not take away from the Hockey Association revenues, since the group did not have the events or use the time before.

Work on the cardiovascular exercise room at the arena is behind schedule, said Mr. Marshall. Insulation is being added and preparations are underway for the fire sprinklers. Once that's approved by inspectors, the drywall will be installed.

The Firehawks hockey team and the city recreation aerobic programs must share the same space temporarily until the room is complete.

The September wrestling tournament at the arena earned $1,337.27. The event brought 138 wrestlers and their families to St. Ignace.

Six more wrestling tournaments are scheduled between January and September and a wrestling camp will be November 8 and November 9 at LaSalle High School.

An agreement has not been reached on a beverage sponsorship at the arena. Mr. Marshall has received a final proposal from Pepsi and is awaiting one from Coke, which he expects within the week.

The pool is closed for the season and deck paint that is chipping is being sandblasted off the concrete there.

The Recreation Department next meets Wednesday, November 12, at 7 p.m. at the arena.