PCC Rink To Formally Re-Open On Nov 24
The Pembroke Community Club and the Bermuda Inline Hockey Association will celebrate the reopening of the rink at PCC tomorrow [Nov 24].
The Bermuda Inline Hockey Association BIHA [formerly The Bermuda Roller Hockey League] was originally organized in 1998. The program has been running since then from October to March each year. The program enrolls well over 120 children each year with a portion of the proceeds from the registration fee going to the Pembroke Community Club.
In April of 2008 in response to the sudden death of Tom MacNeil, the president of the BIHA, a memorial fund was established with a goal of raising funds for a rink expansion and improvements. Mr MacNeil’s enthusiasm and vision for the league and the facilities have been an inspiration to all those involved with the Association.
A spokesperson said: “Following his death, The Association began a fundraising scheme, “Skate for Tom – Realize the dream. Almost 100 skaters from the league skated in the May 24 Half Marothon Derby to start raising the funds necessary to rebuild the rink in his memory. Now 4 years later thanks to the tireless work of Mike Daly, Mark Hientzman and the Hockey Association the new rink will be re-opened!
“The Hockey Association has worked along side the Pembroke Community Club (PCC) to bring this dream to life. The PCC have been supportive of this initiative and with out Club there would not be an appropriate venue to support this project.
“The opening ceremonies will take place at 2pm Saturday November 24th, 2012 with a few words from the organizers and an official ribbon cutting with Minister Michael Scott in attendance.”
Visit the website and join the mailing list for news and updates on the Bermuda Inline Hockey Association.
Congratulations guys from a parent who was around 10 years ago every Saturday.
I congratulate you also: My son enjoyed in line skating for a number of years as did his stepbrother. Well done on your achievement – it is a good memorial to Tom.