Rink Issues For Dogs' Road Contest

It’s looking like the Saint John Sea Dogs’ road game in Rouyn-Noranda on October 14 could be a bit of a mess.

The Huskies home, the Iamgold Arena, underwent - and is still undergoing - major renovations during the off-season. As you can see in this Facebook video posted in June, basically the entire rink was gutted.

Here is a 2009 tour of the arena:



The team is scheduled to start the year on a 12-game road trip because of the renovations, pushing their home opener all the way back to Friday, October 14th against Saint John. But, it appears playing that game at the Iamgold Arena is unlikely.

Here is part of the announcement posted on the Huskies website on Monday, translated by Google:

Following a meeting with the city of Rouyn-Noranda, the architects responsible for the work at the arena and responsible Iamgold arenas, the Huskies have learned that it is impossible to present the first game of the season scheduled at the arena Iamgold October 14. 

According to the explanations provided by the project, the inability to deliver a building playable for the Huskies, who meets the requirements of the QMJHL and safe for spectators motivate participants to suggest other avenues for a game Oct. 14. 

Meanwhile, officials of the QMJHL will work with the organization of the Huskies and the city to ensure that the arena Jacques Laperriere is in compliance with the standards of the league.

A Rouyn-Noranda newspaper isn’t too happy about the whole thing.

The chances of the webcast actually working for this game? Less than one-percent.

Photo Credit: Abitibi Express