Ball Hockey Enthusiasts in Saint John Rejoice: New Facility Coming Spring 2024
Saint John's ball hockey scene is about to get a major upgrade. A new facility, the Knapper Center, is currently under construction in the McAllister Industrial Park, bringing a pair of state-of-the-art playing surfaces for four-on-four ball hockey, one indoor and one outdoor. This isn't just about the rink; the facility will also feature a small pub and spaces designed to host leagues, tournaments, youth programs, and community events.
The project is a significant investment, with 30-40 jobs anticipated to staff the facility. Gary Crossman, a longtime member of Saint John's ball hockey community, is thrilled about the development. He emphasizes the importance of such investments in fostering the sport's growth and community spirit.
"As someone who has dedicated years to hockey at various levels, today’s announcement has been something I’ve dreamt about for years," Crossman said. "This centre will become a place where kids discover the love of the game, where teams grow stronger, and where players push themselves to new levels of performance and confidence."
The Knapper Center is a joint venture between Knapper, a Canadian company specializing in high-performance ball hockey equipment, sport innovation, and facility management, and the City of Saint John. The facility will not only enhance Saint John's reputation as a ball hockey hub but also position the city as a leader in the sport.
Mayor Donna Noade Reardon highlighted the facility's impact on the city's appeal for tournaments and its growing status. "It puts us on the map for tournaments," she said. "It puts us on the map for being a city that’s growing and that’s really changing."
The Knapper Center is Knapper's first venture into Atlantic Canada and the first facility they're building from the ground up. Patrick Bazinet, president of Knapper Partners Investment Fund, expressed enthusiasm for the project. "Today is a big day for Knapper and a big day for the sport of ball hockey," he said.
The facility's design and construction are collaborative efforts involving local schools, community partners, and tournament organizers. This collaboration aims to create long-term programming and new opportunities for youth, adults, and high-performance players, further solidifying Saint John's position in the ball hockey community.
