Vancouver minor hockey associations speak out in opposition of Canucks practice facility plan
There is opposition to the Vancouver Canucks practice facility plan at Britannia.
Thursday’s announcement that the Canucks and the City of Vancouver have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to build a practice facility at Britannia was long on word count but short on details.
Crucially, what wasn’t clear is how exactly the community will benefit.
The Canucks said in the press release that they’re “committed to expanding their connection with Britannia and the surrounding community” and that they would increase investment in local youth programming.
”Potential community benefits, would be developed through further discussions, community engagement and future approvals,” Thursday’s press release reads.
Renderings of the new facility. (Vancouver Canucks)
It doesn’t sound like the Canucks are planning to pay for another sheet of ice that the community could use. Understandably, the community might have a problem with a multi-billion dollar organization taking their ice away unless they are properly compensated.
On Friday, local minor hockey associations released their own statement, expressing that they are “disappointed” by the practice facility plan. The issue is ice time, which they say there is already a shortage of in Vancouver.
The Canucks want to build a new “training venue” next to an existing rink at Britannia. (Vancouver Canucks)
The joint statement from Vancouver Angels Hockey, Vancouver Thunderbirds Hockey, and Vancouver Minor Hockey Association noted that they represent over 2,000 minor hockey players and families, and that they “support opportunities to renew and expand community recreation infrastructure throughout the city.”
“We are disappointed by the report that the City of Vancouver and the Vancouver Canucks are exploring building a practice facility that could leverage an existing community rink at Britannia without creating desperately needed new ice capacity,” the statement reads.
Joint statement from local minor hockey associations… they seem concerned about the #Canucks practice facility plan at Britannia. pic.twitter.com/ExVw1pDYms
— Rob Williams (@RobTheHockeyGuy) August 1, 2026
”The City of Vancouver has not added a net new municipal ice sheet since the 1970s, yet demand for ice time remains exceptionally strong and continues to grow. Minor hockey associations throughout the city are operating at capacity and, in some cases, turning away prospective players because sufficient ice time is not available. The shortage impacts not only minor hockey but also a wide range of community ice users, including figure skating, adult recreation leagues, and other ice sport organizations.
”With that in mind, we believe this is an opportunity to think BIGGER and pursue a more ambitious, community-focused vision. Rather than relying on existing ice infrastructure, we encourage the City and the Canucks to explore a long-term solution that would expand access to ice while supporting the Canucks’ operational needs and creating lasting benefits for Vancouver Minor Hockey and residents.”
The statement goes on to point out how the Seattle Kraken built a facility that benefitted the community with three new sheets of ice, enabling them to host minor hockey tournaments.
“A site such as the northwest corner of the PNE grounds could potentially accommodate a facility like this here that includes a Canucks practice centre, new ice sheets, and community amenities, all within a relatively modest footprint.”