Re: “Why tiny Port Alice can’t keep hockey rink open,” column, Aug. 18.
I was sad to hear of the closing of the Port Alice arena because of unpaid taxes. My daughter’s hockey team played there against the Tri-Port team, made up of players from Port Alice, Port McNeill and Port Hardy.
As our bus drove up to the arena, the girls got so excited because the arena sign read: “Welcome Nanaimo Midget Girls Hockey team!” They had put us on the sign.
Inside the arena, the concession was open, just for our game. Someone had gone to the trouble of making homemade soup to sell at the concession, just for our game.
After the game, the parents thanked us for coming to Port Alice to play hockey.
The whole experience could not have been more welcoming.
So I have to admit, I had thoughts that since it was a Chinese company not paying the taxes, Canada should pull a Saudi Arabia and call all our hockey expertise home from China. But, of course, Canada would never do that. We are proud and supportive of Canadians and their work worldwide, in all fields.
And why are Canadians so nice? Because they have been raised by parents like the ones who live in Port Alice.
Wanda Erikson
Nanaimo
