There is nothing like election season to get people endorsing a local pro sports team.
Cue the sloganeering, where politicos start workshopping lines that go something like: The Vancouver Canucks are rebuilding the roster, while building in the community.
Or something like that.
Anyway, the news this week that the local NHLers have been talking to the City of Vancouver about adding on to Britannia Rink caught the ear of Pete Fry, the Vancouver councillor who has also announced he will be standing for mayor in this fall’s election.
Reached Friday, Fry said if a deal is reached between the city and the Canucks, the result would add excitement to the community. Fry has represented the Green Party on council since 2018.
“As somebody who is in the catchment, who has advocated for the renewal of the community facilities at Britannia, and who has worked with some of the vulnerable populations in this neighbourhood, this has always been a big priority for me,” he said of renewing the Britannia complex, which includes an elementary school, a secondary school, a community centre, a pool, other community services, and also the ice rink.
“And what I’ve seen of this proposal under an (non-disclosure agreement) — and it’s early days — my understanding of what is potentially coming is going to be a benefit. It’s not really going to intrude upon the existing ice facility. It’s going to be a value-add,” he explained.
Fry couldn’t comment any further on what might be under discussion, and the city and the team remain guarded about details of what the discussions might be, but given past pronouncements by the Canucks around what they would be interested in doing, it’s not hard to speculate.
Vancouver Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin waits to speak during media day on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025.
GM Patrik Allvin, for instance, mused last year that the team may just push to build some extra space adjacent or connected to an existing structure, of up to 25,000 square feet. Notably, if you look at the parking lot to the west of the Britannia rink, there is a stub at the end that is about 7,000 to 8,000 square feet. If it could be built up three or four storeys, you would quickly get to the Canucks’ desired floor plan.
If they built such a structure, it wouldn’t include a new sheet of ice, but would have plenty of space for improved dressing rooms to be used by the players, as well as treatment and workout areas. The Canucks would also want to have office space as well.
Presumably, the team would also build spaces for community use.
The rink’s ice plant and sheet has already been upgraded and is apparently up to snuff for an NHL team, so there is no work needed to be done there. In the long run, as the Britannia complex gets redeveloped, you would hope a way could be found to build a second sheet of ice, as the city itself has long been in need of new ice rinks added to the inventory.
The total amount of ice available in Vancouver has essentially remained stagnant over the past half-century, despite having been in the NHL since 1970. Other cities in the region have added rinks of their own, both in public recreation centres and through private facilities.
The other question — which will remained unanswered likely until an announcement is made, if a deal is struck — is whether the Canucks use of the ice for practices would take away from what the community has been using.
The Canucks usually practise at Rogers Arena, but when the arena is booked for a concert, they have to take their practices elsewhere, because not only does the ice get covered over but usually the team loses access to their off-ice spaces as well. In recent seasons, the team has practised at the University of B.C., with the Canucks often scheduling a main practice for about an hour in the late morning. Sometimes, injured players or the goalies go on the ice in the hour or two before.
From time to time, visiting teams need ice as well. Usually, they have followed the Canucks’ lead and taken up time at UBC or Rogers. Would they be able to book ice at a new facility, or would community needs supersede that?
Public skates at Britannia often take place in the afternoon or evening, with occasional morning bookings. The Vancouver Minor Hockey Association is a major user of the rink for practices and games, but on weekdays isn’t using the rink during school hours.
Weekends, though, are very busy.
The Canucks moving into Britannia has many potential benefits, but there would be some community managing to do. What is clear is there’s smoke here — but will it turn into something tangible? We’ll see.