ISA国际影视传媒檒l be the first one to freely admit that there are people out there smarter than me when it comes to things. Not many, mind you, but I act in deference to someone else sometimes when the situation calls for it.
In talking with Kerry Wheler from the Yellowknife Ski Club on Monday morning SA国际影视传媒� always one of my favourite conversations SA国际影视传媒� she mentioned how winter is something we embrace in Yellowknife. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 true, largely because we have no choice.
ItSA国际影视传媒檚 one of those things we sign up for when we make the decision to move here. Kind of like that 24-hour daylight thing SA国际影视传媒� even after I was warned about it all those years ago, I still canSA国际影视传媒檛 get over it.
Like you, ISA国际影视传媒檓 waiting for the rinks/gymnasiums/recreation facilities to open up so we can be busy again but until then, we keep enjoying remote learning, endless hours of Netflix and opening up the internet data-checker to watch the numbers roll so you can see just how much youSA国际影视传媒檒l pay in overage charges while debating whether itSA国际影视传媒檚 worth jacking it up to the package.
In my house, thatSA国际影视传媒檚 an easy answer: I just pay the overage because my wife tells me to.
But that canSA国际影视传媒檛 last forever and thereSA国际影视传媒檚 only so many times you can listen to Alvin and the Chipmunks. So whatSA国际影视传媒檚 the answer? Easy SA国际影视传媒� take the sports outside. LetSA国际影视传媒檚 embrace the view put forth by Kerry Wheler and start playing sports outside.
Sure, itSA国际影视传媒檚 cold, and thatSA国际影视传媒檚 what some of you will tell me, but ISA国际影视传媒檓 reminded of the words of a wise longtime volunteer at the Yellowknife Ski Club who once told me that a little time outside, even at -40 C, wonSA国际影视传媒檛 kill the kids. And that person is right. ISA国际影视传媒檓 not talking hours at a time but 30-60 minutes here and there.
Why not clear some space and set up an outdoor rink so minor hockey can do something? Remember when Tommy Forrest Ball Park doubled as an outdoor rink when there was no softball? That is the perfect spot for teams/players to have a scrimmage or practice. At least theySA国际影视传媒檙e out doing something and at least there would be some value for money because we all know it isnSA国际影视传媒檛 being spent on ice times at the Multiplex or Yk Community Arena.
This would be a wonderful way for broomball to get up and running again. Remember, the Office of the Chief Public Health Officer is more keen on approving outdoor events than anything indoors, so why not get the gang together and have an outdoor game or something?
Figure skating? Why not. Yk Rec Hockey League? TheySA国际影视传媒檙e tough enough they can play some pond hockey out there. Yk Oldtimers Hockey League? ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 a toss-up. ISA国际影视传媒檓 rather certain that the Wade Hamer Hockey League SA国际影视传媒� better known as WIMPS SA国际影视传媒� would probably jump out there and go for a skate. The Yk Robins womenSA国际影视传媒檚 league? ThereSA国际影视传媒檚 no question SA国际影视传媒� those ladies will find any excuse to play. Believe me.
Why not take the Wade Hamer Challenge Cup outdoors? WeSA国际影视传媒檙e facing another year of no school sports and something as anticipatory as the annual meeting between Sir John Franklin and St. PatSA国际影视传媒檚 high schools would draw a crowd. I guarantee it would.
What about the court sports, I can hear you asking. Well, nothing says you canSA国际影视传媒檛 draw out a volleyball court and have a scrimmage in the snow. It may be a bit weird to see volleyball players in five layers trying to pancake in the snow but there are enough hardy souls who would give it a shot. Would the basketball crowd do it? ISA国际影视传媒檓 thinking close to 50/50. Soccer would be fun to watch outdoors in the snow simply for the amount of tackling that would occur. ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 the best part SA国际影视传媒� no Fieldhouse rug burn.
Rugby would be in the same boat as the the Yk Robins in that have ball, see opportunity, will play.
We already know that skiers have no problem going out in most conditions and there some heady snowboarders. But since the latter two sports are outdoors already, they donSA国际影视传媒檛 count for the purposes of this diatribe.
LetSA国际影视传媒檚 get the city off its collective backside and get everyone playing outside. We live in a winter city. Embrace it, like the Yellowknife Ski Club says we should.
