There’s a new game in town and when the arena lights come on and the ball drops, Jim and Jackie Ranahan will realize a dream 10 years in the making.
Centre Wellington Ball Hockey kicks off its opening season in March and organizers are looking for players of all skill levels from age 5 to 65.
“I wanted to give the families in this community a reason to get outside and play,” said Jim Ranahan, who purchased four acres in Salem to build a proper outdoor facility specifically for the sport.
The rink is the full arena, standard size for ball hockey, which is 30 per cent smaller than an ice hockey rink.
Ranahan built his arena complete with NHL regulation boards made in Waterloo, and the arena floor is make of a synthetic tile system that offers non-slip safety and a cushion support factor, plus proper drainage of the floor surface regardless of weather.
The rink is also wheelchair accessible.
“We want parents to feel they are bringing their kids to a safe, controlled environment,” Ranahan said.
“This will be a strictly non-contact recreational facility, where anyone can learn the competitive game of hockey in a safe way.”
That will include educational starter leagues for children ages 4 to 6 years old.
The facility, located on County Road 18, just west of County Road 7 in Salem, will be open seven days a week in all seasons.
Youth leagues will play summer, spring and fall. Men, women and co-ed leagues will play all four seasons.
“I want people to feel like when they join this league, they belong,” Ranahan said.
Key to the organization, Ranahan said, is accessibility.
“The cost will be $140, plus tax, a season,” which Ranahan said will include 12 games and a round of playoffs.
“The whole point of this sport is that not everyone can afford hockey,” Ranahan said.
“But this sport requires no specialized equipment. You need a helmet with a face mask, gloves, shin pads, running shoes and a hockey stick [without wooden blades] and you are good to go.”
Goalies will need full equipment, Ranahan added.
Centre Wellington Ball Hockey is affiliated with ballhockey.com, an organization that includes six leagues across Ontario, from Kingston to Niagara to Orillia.
“Our affiliation with ballhockey.com ensures our credibility in the sport and lets people know we are a legitimate, organized, controlled sport with governing rules of play,” Ranahan said.
Similar to some ice hockey leagues, ball hockey is played in three 10-minute periods with stop time, in standard five-on-five play. Teams will consist of 11 players.
Centre Wellington Ball Hockey will include a small clubhouse with an office, changing facility and a pro shop. Ranahan hopes the environment will be a family-friendly place for people to get together.
Moreover, he hopes to expand the club to add a second rink in 2015.
To register a team, volunteer or learn more about Centre Wellington Ball Hockey, visit www.cwballhockey.com.
