The Winkler Flyers coach Matt Melo is one of many from the community excited as the rink renovations continue and the newest video of what it will look like has everyone smiling.
"It's been really exciting for us," Melo says with a smile. "For the program and for the entire community. Obviously, we've been kept in the loop throughout and in different discusions, so maybe we've had the inside track and maybe seen it a little earlier than when it came out. But, it's very exciting for our program and mainly for the community of Winkler, as a whole. A lot of people are going to be excited for this new rink and I think it's going to relieve a lot of stress on the community in terms of coordinating different groups with just the one pad here. There's a ton of opportunity with a renovated rink in town, lots of potential when it comes to what we can do and what it means to the program. It's really cool to see how far things have come along."
Coming into Winkler after the renovations were already underway hasn't stopped Melo from gaining an understanding of the character of the old building, what it meant to people and how the Flyers used that home ice advantage like no one else and he says it's going to be a balance of old and new. "I've heard a ton, just about all those things in the old building. I think that in a lot of ways, the city has done an incredible job of taking that into account. I think one of the really cool aspects of this project is that they've kept the bones of the facility. They're building from within that structure that's already established. There may not be a tone of growth to the facility or the building itself, there's just another little bump out being built, but other than that, I believe the facility will keep that same atmosphere and feel. I think it's going to be the same number, close to 1400 seats and while it may not be a 3000 seat building, I believe it's going to be packed very night and maintain that important feel for Flyers hockey. It's a very important part, having the community support. Guys talk about it and it's something that is lasting. We're really looking forward to that having been in the thought process throughout and it's something that is as important to those building it as it is to people coming to games."
When it comes to when the move will happen, whether it's in-season or not, Melo isn't worried, he's happy with where the Flyers are at and he knows that when they do move in, it'll be perfect. "I think there's a ton out of our control, so I don't think we're putting any pressure on the city or any stock into a certain date of when we get in there. Yes, it would be important for us to get into there as early as possible, but we're so thankful to the city because we have a great place to play in the Icon. We're thankful to the community because we know we impact a lot of user groups, the coordination of everyone fitting into one pad, so we're so thankful to the groups that have allowed us to come into the Icon and allowed us to play for a year and a bit. I don't know if there's much value in trying to determine a date that we might move in. We're thankful for where we're at right now and we're understanding that there's a process that needs to be in place to make sure that the renovated Centennial turns out the way that it should. When we get in there, we'll make the most of it and we're just really excited in the mean time and thankful for the Icon Arena."
Melo and the Flyers start the MJHL season at home September 19th, vs the Steinbach Pistons.