The Canucks are getting closer to securing a deal to build a permanent practice facility in East Vancouver, according to the NHL team’s president of hockey operations. At an end-of-season media availability Friday, Jim Rutherford said “everything is in place” for a future rink at Britannia Community Centre on Commercial Drive. He noted that the organization has been close to securing a rink a couple of other times in the past few years, only for things to fall apart, but they are “further down the road to the finish line” for Britannia. Rutherford said the Canucks are just waiting on the public’s opinion. “That we’re not doing something that we’re upsetting people in the neighbourhood that have lived there forever,” he told reporters, adding that the plan for the building includes upgrades for local residents. “We should be able to make an announcement in the near future… I’m just going to keep my fingers crossed” Rutherford said. Craig Ollenberger, member of the Britannia’s board of directors, told CTV News he would “certainly be happy to have” the Canucks practice there, if they can also provide some of the facilities the centre needs, such as a community kitchen and training rooms. “We’re always excited to have any partners down here that can bring resources to the community, because the community really needs that. And, you know, everybody loves the Canucks, even in a hard year,” he said. He added the rink sees high use in the mornings and evenings, and some during the day, but there is room for the NHL teem. However, Ollenberger said the centre’s support for the project hinges on some key details that the board hasn’t been made aware of. He said the City of Vancouver has been in extensive talks with the Canucks, but little information has been shared with the board. When asked about Rutherford’s remarks, the city told CTV News it would not comment on the status of any discussions related to specific sites or land-use matters. Specifically, the Britannia board wants assurance a Canucks practice facility will not hinder the replacement of the community centre’s aging pool, which is expected to be part of the next capital plan.
