Windsor school seeking heritage permit to build NHL-sized ice pad

(Source: @OnlyatASCIS/X)

A school in Windsor wants to build an NHL-sized ice pad on its campus to support its hockey program. Académie Ste-Cécile International School at 925 Cousineau Rd., not far from St. Clair College, is a private, co-educational, day and resident, elementary and secondary school.

The school is asking the city for a heritage permit to allow for the construction of an NHL-sized ice pad with four locker rooms that would attach to the existing gymnasium.

The former Holy Redeemer College site, built in 1957, spans 25 acres in South Windsor and was designated under the Ontario Heritage Act as a significant work of F. Barry Byrne, a renowned Prairie School architect who studied under Frank Lloyd Wright.

Athletic Director and hockey coach Robb Serviss, says most of these students are looking for a pathway to a U.S. college program.

“Most of our players that come in here, they’re looking to get to the NCAA with high academics and good hockey,” he said, adding, “Whether it’s after school or in the evening to develop their skill and give them more opportunity for ice time. With development, that’s the key to success: lots of ice time. If we can offer more training hours and opportunities for our students, that’s going to make our program that much more attractive.

In 2023-2024, the school launched an international prep hockey program that includes a U18 boys team, a U17 boys team, and a U19 girls team, playing 50 to 60 games per season against other prep schools from across Canada and the United States.Serviss said the rosters are made up of students from around the world, including China, Taiwan, Australia, Mexico, various parts of Europe, Canada, and the U.S.Currently the school rents around 25 hours of ice time a week from the city, the majority at the Capri Pizzeria Recreation Complex.

“All of our programming is pretty much during the daytime. When you look at three times, you’re looking at 4.5 hours per day… Whether it’s after school or in the evening to develop their skill and give them more opportunity for ice time. With development, that’s the key to success: lots of ice time. If we can offer more training hours and opportunities for our students, that’s going to make our program that much more attractive,” said Serviss.

City administration is recommending a heritage permit be granted, subject to conditions around the brick used to match the existing structure.

— Rusty Thomson/AM800 News