Hockey Night in Canada is bringing road hockey to the pavement at Pitt Meadows airport.
The annual Play On! tournament, featuring hundreds of teams and thousands of players in various divisions – from under eight to 19 and over – was held the previous four years at Coquitlam Centre, and before that at Metrotown in Burnaby and downtown Vancouver.
But because of parking restrictions, it will be move this year to Pitt Meadows Regional Airport, on the Integrated Training Centre, a 700,00 square-foot-flat pad at the end of a runway, June 25-26.
“This will give us the opportunity to literally make this our biggest event ever and truly have a space that is our own,” said Daniel Fung, event manager.
A private company will manage parking, which is to include a shuttle service to an from the airport, and could utilize space at Meadowtown Shopping Centre.
“It’s really a magnificent site. There’s so much room around there and it’s really, really beautiful.”
Fung added that organizers hope to make the airport a permanent site for the tournament, which last year featured 280 teams and 40 rinks.
A celebrity game will take place on the Saturday, 12 p.m. No players have been confirmed for that event, but the game could feature Vancouver Canuck alumni, as well as notable local personalities.
The two-day tournament – which follows a four-on-four format, including goalies – is a fundraiser for United Way Lower Mainland.
• Early registration is June 8. Final registration is June 20. To volunteer or referee, visit www.playon.ca/events/vancouver to sign up. No experience is needed to referee.