The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) has approved an agreement to replace seating at the Gibsons and Area Recreation Centre (GACC) in anticipation of the arrival of a junior hockey team. The new seating will be in line with the upcoming presence of the Coastal Tsunami, who are preparing to host Pacific Junior Hockey League home games at the GACC. The installation of bucket and drink rail-style seating will replace a portion of the existing bench seating, with an estimated cost of £90,000 to be covered by the Sunshine Coast Junior Hockey Society.
Prior to commencing the installation, the SCRD has requested assurance from the society regarding the availability of the necessary funds to complete the work. Furthermore, the completed enhancements will become the property of the SCRD. In support of the society’s fundraising efforts, the board has approved the issuance of charitable contribution tax receipts upon the completion of the project.
With a tight timeframe for completion, the seating change-out is scheduled to take place during the GACC’s annual maintenance period from mid-May to mid-July, after the ice is removed. This project marks the first of several enhancements proposed by the society, including plans to install an electronic time clock/scoreboard that was donated from Vancouver’s Pacific Coliseum in 2023. These plans are still in the works and have yet to be finalized.
In collaboration with the community group, SCRD community services manager Shelley Gagnon has expressed satisfaction with their cooperation. Describing the group as “great to work with,” Gagnon indicated that the staff have been informed about the details of the planned seating and are content with the quality of the products.
The forthcoming changes in the seating layout at the GACC are a positive step forward in enhancing the facility for the arrival of the Coastal Tsunami. The SCRD’s commitment to this upgrade underscores the anticipation surrounding the upcoming hockey games and its potential impact on the local community. As the project progresses, it is a testament to the cooperative efforts between the SCRD and the Sunshine Coast Junior Hockey Society in preparing for the team’s debut at the GACC.