A scheduling conflict has forced Creston’s Black Eyed Cherries and the East Kootenay Roller Derby League to move their Aug. 10 games to Sparwood.
“There are a few different stories going around town,” said Amanda Kerr, one of the team’s founding players, yesterday. “There was really nothing we could do except find another town to play in.”
Regional District of Central Kootenay Area C director Larry Binks said that the conflict came as a result of a decision to make ice in the Creston and District Community Complex’s John Bucyk Arena earlier than originally planned.
When the local services committee (Binks, Area B director John Kettle, Area C director Garry Jackman and Creston Mayor Ron Toyota) “asked if putting the ice in early would affect any bookings and the staff said no,” Binks said. “Apparently the computer scheduling system didn’t pick up the conflict until it was too late. Nobody feels good about this.”
Kerr said Creston fans are biggest supporters of the league, drawing several hundred to league games.
“This could mean a loss of $4,000 to $5,000 in income to the league,” she said.
Binks is contributing $500 from Area C funds to help offset the expenses incurred by the Black Eyed Cherries, a gesture Kerr said is appreciated by the team.
“The rec centre has tried to make it work and they are trying to make it right, but it’s still frustrating. We booked the space last November,” Kerr said. “We’ve worked really hard this year and we have had lots of ups and downs, but we are still pushing through.”
An offer to use the arena for free on the August long weekend wasn’t accepted because most players on the four teams scheduled to play had already made other plans.
“We called around and Sparwood was the only arena that was available on Aug. 10,” she said.
On that day, Creston will take on the Mountain Town Maulers, and the Invermere Rollbots will play Kimberley's Bavarian Barbarians. Cranbrook will play host to the league’s championship weekend on Sept. 14/15.
“We will make sure to schedule our August games earlier in the month next year so we can be sure this won’t happen again,” Kerr said.