A week ago, Grunthal Minor Hockey announced it was cancelling the upcoming season. Now, it appears that decision might force the closure of the Grunthal Arena.

Jason Peters is Manager of Recreation and Community Services for the Rural Municipality of Hanover. He says as of today, they are not making ice in the arena.

his year. He speculates why that is.

"Certainly the public health orders and the requirement for vaccines is making it difficult," explains Peters. "If every person has to show proof of vaccination, then it's difficult for teams to have one hundred per cent attendance on a weekly basis and some of them are probably left with not enough bodies left to play. I haven't necessarily spoken with the teams but that seems to be the trend."

He notes figure skating and ringette programs also failed to get off the ground this year, for similar reasons.

Peters says there are some community members that have not given up hope yet for the arena.

"(They) are really wanting to turn over every last rock before the decision is made to not open it for the season," he says. "But at this point, nothing is happening in the imminent future in terms of opening it. We'll monitor it though as it goes and if there is an opportunity down the road it can be revisited."

Should the arena remain closed all winter, Peters says that would be a big deal for that community.

"I think there is a huge impact," he says. "It's sad to see that happen in a community that truly does love its hockey and its ice sports."

Peters notes he is hearing of players from Grunthal who are already making plans to play for other teams in neighbouring communities this winter. And, he notes Hockey Manitoba is very good at making that possible.

"If a player registers through their local association and there is no team for them at their age group, then they are relocated to another community," he explains. "So Hockey Manitoba does make that commitment that if a child registers they will be given a place to play."

Peters says he is hopeful that these kids in Grunthal continue playing winter sports, whether outdoors or in another community, noting it would be a shame to see this have a long-term effect.

"No one in that community wants to see the building close," he says. "They want to see it open. I think that it's mixed in with all kinds of other strong opinions on different issues in terms of the pandemic and government restrictions."