The sweet savor of failure

There is one sport that I enjoy watching more than anything. A game that is fast paced and full of action. Something that I look forward to watching and a real treat when I get to attend a game in person. Locally I used to have opportunities to watch and could be found high in the empty stands enjoying the game. There is nothing quite like the smell of ice and sweat. There is nothing like watching the players gliding across the ice and crashing into the boards. Do you watch the puck, watch where the puck is going or where the puck has been? Three totally different games just based on the viewers perspective. I always say, "If you think the game is boring stop watching the puck!"

Several years ago we lost the local ice, a move that was brought on by a chance to make more money for the facility. Two attempts later and we ended up with a CBA Basketball team. While I don't mind watching basketball I have boycotted the events because I don't support the decision that was made without public opinion and comment. Which happens to be norm for the politics of the town, those who make the decisions like to pretend that the local populous is not educated enough to know what is good for them.

Well, last night the game was canceled. Not because of poor attendance, not because the facility wasn't available, not because the locals were rioting, but because the team owner hasn't been paying his bills. Not only were the players not getting paid, but the company that runs the facility wasn't getting paid for the facility either. AWESOME, all this money is going where?

Now I just have to wonder, "How can the county be making more money with a basketball team when they are not getting paid?" At least they were making money when hockey was in the building. At least they could rent the ice out to other events to make additional cash. At least the ice provided the locals with youth programs (hockey, skating, etc).

Of course once basketball tanks AGAIN, they could always bring back the ice, right? Not really, the local ice freaks have worked hard and spent lots of time and money to get their own ice facility. A facility that is far from the professional ice garden, but one that provides them with indoor ice. A facility that is not controlled by the local government entities but by a committee of people made up of those that will use the facility. Now that the facility is just about ready to be making ice, why would they want to go back to the old ways?

Time will only tell if this Basketball adventure will be able to survive such events. Will the team rally under new coaching? Will the whole endeavor end up being a failure? Will the facility be sitting there empty of fans? Only time will sort out the truth of the whole canceled game.

Mean while I keep my fingers crossed that the ice will be ready for the Casey Cup. A chance for me to park in the stands and enjoy three days of high school hockey talent. An event that has not been held locally for quite sometime. An event that I will gladly support. A weekend that will mark the success of the few who have overcome the myopic decisions of political leaders.