All-female hockey arena in Cape Breton nearing completion

An all-female hockey arena in Cape Breton is nearing completion.

The Atlantic Collegiate Women’s Hockey Championship was held on Cape Breton’s Membertou First Nation over the weekend, but the next time the tournament is hosted on the Island it will be at the brand-new all-girls arena at Cape Breton University.

Alyssa Burke of the CAPERS said the newly renovated Canada Games Complex will be a game-changer for young girls looking to advance in the sport like she did.

“It really excites me, as I grew up playing with boys when I initially started,” said Burke, a forward who will soon graduate with a science degree, majoring in chemistry.

“I think it’s just going to set an example for Canada to step up and open up some more female arenas, but also for girls to see that they have a home.”

In recent years, women’s and girls' hockey has been perhaps the fastest-growing sport in Cape Breton.

The CAPERS' coach said having their own facility will finally put the female game on equal ice.

“The rink will only add to that talent pool coming forward,” said Derrick Hayes, longtime head coach of the CBU Women’s Hockey program.

“So that they actually have available ice times and then be able to play on a regular basis, regular schedules. Then, be able to come out and watch the different levels as they come out and watch their mentors that are being grown throughout the leagues.”

The $36 million renovation and expansion were delayed by a few months, but the finished facility will include an NHL-sized rink, more dressing rooms, a fitness centre and walking track, and accessibility for sledge hockey.

On the weekend, project proponents launched their new branding - billing the new arena as the “Home of Women’s Hockey.”

“We’re on schedule to open in May of this spring,” said Steve Horne, recreation & sport development manager at CBU.

“It will be the first arena in Canada dedicated to female hockey, and so our brand - Home of Women’s Hockey - is really being looked at across the country as a first.”

With the Collegiate championship now over, so too is Burke’s university playing career.

However, she plans to start a new chapter in the new rink - coaching the next generation and playing recreationally.

“I’m just super excited for all the future little hockey girls that are going to come up through the program,” Burke said.

The new ‘Home for Women’s Hockey’ will be home to CBU’s spring convocation in May, with a grand opening planned for when the puck drops on its first season in the fall.

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