Peter Skene Ogden Secondary School (PSO) is preparing to offer a hockey academy program this the fall.
PSO principal Vic Brett sent a letter to School District 27 (SD27) superintendent Diane Wright asking the board to consider funding both a teaching block and the Hockey Canada program registration fee.
"It's a wonderful opportunity for our students," says Brett. "We've had a really good response from students who would like to be in the program."
SD27 trustees considered the request at the Feb. 22 board meeting and it was noted Columneetza Secondary School in Williams Lake has run a very successful academy since 2006.
As long as the national program registration is accepted, which he expects will go through in late April, Brett says PSO will run a physical education credit course with at least one class and possibly two.
One staff member has already been trained as an instructor and another is undergoing that program requirement now, but he adds the school needs further funding assistance.
"There is a $1,000 flat fee that Hockey Canada requires to be part of their organization."
Individual student registration fees are also required and will run somewhere in the range of $20 each, Brett says, adding some money for equipment will also be needed.
He notes community support is vital to both the program and the Hockey Canada approval.
"Josh Dickerson at Canlan Ice Sports has been really supportive to help us do this, as has minor hockey inside of 100 Mile House."
The SD27 board agreed to provide financial assistance for the program's first year by funding one teacher block as well as allocating $1,000 towards registration and training of teaching staff with Hockey Canada.
