Delta Hockey Academy

Proposed Delta Hockey Academy for preteens runs into Opposition

A Delta, BC Hockey Academy for budding young athletes in Grades 4-7 who want to improve their skills while also attending school could open as early as this fall as part of an effort in Delta to lure students from independent schools back into the public education system.

While fee-charging hockey academies are not unusual in B.C. secondary schools, district communications manager Kay Thody said the plan for one in a Delta elementary school -- as proposed by two officials with the Vancouver Giants hockey team -- appears to be unprecedented in the province, although Edmonton provides similar opportunities and Toronto is moving in the same direction.

Dale Saip, chairman of the Delta board of education and a Giants vice-president, said the district is trying to be innovative at a time of declining enrolments.

Some parents aren't pleased with the plan, partly because they heard about it via the hockey grapevine and have yet to receive any explanation from district officials about how it would benefit their school.

"We all felt quite blindsided," said Susanne McKinnon, chairwoman of the parent advisory council (PAC) at English Bluff school, which has been identified as a likely location for the academy.

Trustees have yet to approve the program, but the district says a September opening is possible, if parents are keen.

"It depends entirely on the community," Thody said in an interview. "No decisions have been made."

Delta has six sports academies in high schools -- with tuition fees ranging from $135 a month for hockey to $450 a month for golf. Delta has announced the opening of a seventh high school academy at South Delta secondary this fall for students interested in film acting.

Source: Vancouver Sun

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