[1]The new mini-stick arena in the Essroc Arena in Wellington, gives kids the chance to play hockey while they wait for practice or watch their siblings play. (L-r) Carter Knock, nine, Spencer Scott, nine, Cameron Osterhout, six, and Kasey Cocklin, nine, enjoy a game of mini sticks.
By April Lawrence
Hockey-loving kids from Prince Edward County have a new facility available for use at the Essroc Arena in Wellington.
The Quinte’s Isle Campark mini-stick arena opened for use last weekend. Kids were lined up to give it a whirl at the Wellington Dukes hockey game, said Lisa Lindsay, manager of community centres and advanced marketing for the County of Prince Edward.
The mini-stick arena cost $15,000 to construct, which was funded by the Quinte’s Isle Campark.
“It has been a huge success,” said Lindsay. “There’s a lot of kids that aren’t quite old enough to play hockey yet and this is a stepping stone,” said Lindsay.
One boy happy about the new mini-stick arena is Cameron Osterhout, six. He can now play mini sticks while his older brother is at hockey practice. He said he thinks he’ll use the arena a lot and will now bring his own mini sticks and puck when he comes to the arena.
There is no cost for kids to use the mini-stick arena except when there is paid-ticket events at the arena like Dukes games. The mini stick-arena is open anytime the arena is open.