No Heat at Gatecliff Arena?

[dogman]

What was up today with the heat, or shall I say lack of heat at the arena. It was freezing in there this afternoon. I realize the IceDogs don't control the heat but they should complain to the city about this. The city just spent close to a million dollars a few years ago on a new heating system. They said the new system is more efficient and will save the taxpayers money. I guess if you turn the heat off, it will save taxpayers money but they could of did that with the old heating system as well.

[back2back]

Yes it was cold in there today. I think it must have been a malfunction in the heating system as it is usually not that cold. A number of people at the game mentioned how they wished they had wore hats, gloves and boots. I'm sure it will be fixed by next game.

[omhafan]

The Windsor game a couple of weeks ago was cold too. City staff should turn the heat on at noon a couple hours before the game to let the place warm up. They leave the thermostat the same as if the Sunday morning beer leagues were playing.

[sportscrazy]

It was freezing in the arena this past Sunday. Do they even have the heat on? Fans will soon need to wear ski masks to the game just to keep warm. It was never this cold at the rink last year. Are the IceDogs the ones asking for the heat to be shut off?

[zeus]

sportscrazy said:

It was freezing in the arena this past Sunday. Do they even have the heat on? Fans will soon need to wear ski masks to the game just to keep warm. It was never this cold at the rink last year. Are the IceDogs the ones asking for the heat to be shut off?

I talked to Denise Burke about the lack of heat at the arena and she told me that the Icedogs have complained, written e-mails and telephoned in an effort to get the City to turnup the heat with no success.

The City apparently will not change it's policy and will try to conserve heat at the arena for at least the balance of this year.

I'm wearing gloves and an extra sweater next game. Last week at the new Oshawa arena I found it as cold as the "Jack" was at the Sunday game. Wait until the real cold weather hits this area!

[fishfan51]

I brought a friend to his first game yesterday. He was freezing the entire game. He loved the game and the game day atmosphere but shivering for two and half hours left him unimpressed.

[hockey123]

Tell him to put on a sweater. Most games the ice looks like it's melting, if anything the ring should be colder. Believe me, I'm far from fat and I sit in the stands with nothing more than a t-shirt and I'm not cold.

[dogman]

hockey123 said:

Tell him to put on a sweater. Most games the ice looks like it's melting, if anything the ring should be colder. Believe me, I'm far from fat and I sit in the stands with nothing more than a t-shirt and I'm not cold.

You must have a very high body temperature then. Were did you sit? I sat in section B and it was cold. My wife and son are no longer going to attend games with me. Two Sundays ago they went and froze but I told them things would be better next week. We went again last Sunday and I think it was even colder than the last game. They don't really love hockey like me, but go so we can spend the afternoon together. They will no longer be going to the games and I will be going solo. I am really upset about this. Is there somewhere we can write and complain.

[hockey123]

I feel your pain. My wife also complains about it being too cold when she goes. That said, it would be one thing if it was warm every week and all of a sudden it's freezing. It's cold every week, dress appropriately. Layer clothes and put on an extra pair of socks. I've been to several Bills games in the middle of December and have never been cold. It's cold. I know it's going to be cold. I dress accordingly. It's not ideal but you do what you have to. There have been times this year where there were puddles on the ice at the end of a period. Obviously it would be nice if it was a little warmer in the arena, but first and foremost they need to make sure the ice is frozen. They're trying to make due with an arena that's not suited to meet their needs and trying to make the best of a bad situation. Assuming it's cold in the arena because of issues with the ice quality, I think we need to cut them some slack on this one. Hopefully sometime in the near future we'll have a nice warm, comfortable arena with all the bells and whistles. Until then we're stuck putting up with these little nuisances, unfortunately.

[zeus]

dogman said:

hockey123 said:

Tell him to put on a sweater. Most games the ice looks like it's melting, if anything the ring should be colder. Believe me, I'm far from fat and I sit in the stands with nothing more than a t-shirt and I'm not cold.

You must have a very high body temperature then. Were did you sit? I sat in section B and it was cold. My wife and son are no longer going to attend games with me. Two Sundays ago they went and froze but I told them things would be better next week. We went again last Sunday and I think it was even colder than the last game. They don't really love hockey like me, but go so we can spend the afternoon together. They will no longer be going to the games and I will be going solo. I am really upset about this. Is there somewhere we can write and complain.

When I was talking to Denise Burke she indicated that we the fans should e-mail or send a letter to St Catharine's Council about the cold rink. If you do, it would be a good idea to copy "the Burkes" so that the City does not turn around and place the blame on the IceDog Management.

According to Denise Burke, the IceDog management have complained but it has fallen on deaf ears. Enough noise from fans and the City should hopefully take corrective action.

[excanucksfan]

Can someone post an e-mail as to where we can send our thoughts.

[back2back]

I agree that something needs to change. People are going to stop coming if it doesn't get warmer. The IceDogs are fun, but not worth getting sick over.

[Kevin]

I just received an e-mail from Denise Burke. The city has informed the IceDogs organization that there is a problem with the heating system at the arena and that it will be fixed by Friday.

[dogman]

That is good to know. I think I can get my family to attend again as long as they know it won't be cold.

[fishfan51]

hockey123 said:

I feel your pain. My wife also complains about it being too cold when she goes. That said, it would be one thing if it was warm every week and all of a sudden it's freezing. It's cold every week, dress appropriately. Layer clothes and put on an extra pair of socks. I've been to several Bills games in the middle of December and have never been cold. It's cold. I know it's going to be cold. I dress accordingly. It's not ideal but you do what you have to. There have been times this year where there were puddles on the ice at the end of a period. Obviously it would be nice if it was a little warmer in the arena, but first and foremost they need to make sure the ice is frozen. They're trying to make due with an arena that's not suited to meet their needs and trying to make the best of a bad situation. Assuming it's cold in the arena because of issues with the ice quality, I think we need to cut them some slack on this one. Hopefully sometime in the near future we'll have a nice warm, comfortable arena with all the bells and whistles. Until then we're stuck putting up with these little nuisances, unfortunately.

Nice editorial...but it has nothing to do with keeping the ice frozen. It had nothing to do with the IceDogs either, it was a city thing and sounds like it will be fixed. I have never found it cold at any of the games until Sunday. I am a season ticket holder who has attended every game. If I had been cold in the past, I would have told my friend to dress warmly. Instead it was colder inside then outside.

Gotta hand it to the Dogs...everytime there is an issue with anything, they seem to address it quickly and try to resolve it. Great Job!

[dogman]

It seemed to be a little warmer at todays game. I wouldn't say it was warm, but atleast I was not freezing like last Sunday.