Oliver sets aside arena ice time for potential junior hockey team New local hockey team? Oliver has made changes to arena ice time in case a junior hockey team is formed in town. On May 14, the municipality received a proposal from the Western International Junior Hockey League for the town to host the 10th team in the newly formed league. The team would consist of players aged 16 to 19. The creation of the team would alter the 2026-27 Oliver and District Arena schedule,
setting aside two hours of non-prime-time ice time for the team between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. from Monday to Thursday. Currently, that ice time is used by noon-hour public skating or school groups. Additionally, the hockey team would require ice for Friday or Saturday night games from 6 to 10 p.m. During a June 8 meeting, staff told council that most community groups that currently use Oliver ice said they would be happy to work around a WIJHL team. In March, the Western International
Junior Hockey League was created from eight Kootenay International Junior Hockey League teams. “The addition of Oliver represents another important step in the WIJHL’s continued growth and commitment to providing high-quality junior hockey opportunities throughout British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest. The expansion strengthens the league’s regional footprint while creating new rivalries, enhancing player development opportunities, and increasing community engagement across the league,” reads a WIJHL press release. Council voiced strong support for a potential “true Oliver” team. “I’m 100 per cent in support. I
think what’s more important than people moving here is people not moving away, being able to play in our community, not playing on a zone team, not going to Penticton, West Kelowna, [or] Summerland,” said Mayor Martin Johansen. “I think that is a bonus, because I know having been involved in hockey and coached hockey, there’s a lot of kids that have had to move away to Grand Forks, different places like that, just to play and get access to hockey.” Staff said the addition
of a local junior team at the arena would increase overall revenue, increase community pride, and increase activity. “This ownership group is the owners of the West Kelowna Warriors, and so they’re looking to build their player development all the way from minor hockey through junior prospect through the WHL and into their team, so that is one of their main reasons for wanting to have a team,” said Carol Sheridan, director of recreation. Council approved the updated Recreation Facility Allocation Policy, which included priority
ice time for a junior hockey team. “Oliver is a beautiful and vibrant community located in the heart of British Columbia’s wine country. The town has a rich hockey tradition, modern facilities, and a strong sense of community pride that makes it an ideal location for a junior hockey franchise.” said Brandon Buliziuk, WIJHL chair, in a press release.
Oliver, Osoyoos, arena ice time, junior hockey, WIJHL, Western International Junior Hockey League, Recreation Facility Allocation Policy, Martin Johansen, Carol Sheridan
So they’re just gonna stop public skating in the morning now? Cool.
I mean if it’s only 10am-1pm Mon-Thu then whatever, people will adjust. But the article says it could mess with school groups too, so how does that work exactly?
They say “most groups said they’d be happy” but that’s always code for like, nobody complained loud enough. Also it says 6-10pm Fri/Sat… that’s gonna be nonstop hockey noise, right? Not sure why they couldn’t just use outdoor ice or something.
True Oliver team?? Isn’t that just like another league team name marketing thing. They’ll sell it as keeping kids here but it still sounds like the league created it because someone wanted more teams/money. Mayor said 100% support so I guess it’s already decided.