Catastrophic. That's the word used by Jean-François Beaulieu, head of communications for the Association de hockey mineur de Soulanges (AHMS), regarding the possible closure of the Centre sportif Soulanges, located in Saint-Polycarpe, at the beginning of 2024, due to a lack of funding to keep it in operation.

Earlier this year, the Municipality of Saint-Polycarpe put forward a proposal to the nine other communities of Vaudreuil-Soulanges to share the costs of operating and maintaining the regional sports facility. Saint-Zotique, Coteau-du-Lac, Les Coteaux, Rivière-Beaudette, Saint-Clet, Saint-Télesphore, Sainte-Marthe, Très-Saint-Rédempteur and Sainte-Justine-de-Newton will have to respond to Saint-Polycarpe by December 31.

Without their financial support, the arena will close its doors for good. A scenario that would be dramatic for the sports association. "The Centre sportif Soulanges welcomes over 250 players who are members of our Association on a daily basis. This does not take into account the players of the Pionniers de Soulanges and the figure skaters who come here on a regular basis to practice their sport. Closure would therefore be a catastrophe for all these users, as it would not be possible to relocate them elsewhere. There's no availability on the surrounding ice, and I don't see how it would be possible," he says on the other end of the phone.

Over 300 regular arena users

Mr. Beaulieu is concerned about the impact on young people if the arena closes. "It's important to preserve this infrastructure, which is used by many young people, including those studying at the nearby high school. Some of them continue to study because they can play field hockey, and that's what motivates them. What will happen if we have to close the site? Where will they play and spend their energy at the end of the day?"

The Soulanges Minor Hockey Association has 20 teams of players ranging in age from U7 to U18. "Our players range in age from 4 to 20. The arena is home to players on single-letter teams, while those on double-letter teams play their games outdoors, as we have an agreement with the minor field hockey associations of Hudson-Rigaud-Saint-Lazare and Salaberry-de-Valleyfield. The Centre sportif Soulanges is also home to the various teams of the Pionniers de Soulanges," he sums up the arena's importance in the careers of young athletes in Vaudreuil-Soulanges.

A tour of municipal councils

Over the past month, Mr. Beaulieu has visited the municipal councils of Coteau-du-Lac, Les Coteaux and Saint-Zotique to remind them of the importance of this regional infrastructure, and to encourage their elected representatives to participate in its preservation and maintenance. Why these three communities? Because they will have to contribute the most financially, in proportion to the use of their young citizens.

At his side were several young players from the Soulanges Minor Hockey Association, wearing their jerseys in the colors of the sports organization.

"The deadline for a decision is December 31. I really hope that the presence of the players at the meetings and the various testimonies heard during the question periods will make the elected officials think and decide to say yes to the proposal submitted to them by Saint-Polycarpe," he asserts.

Mr. Beaulieu is optimistic about the fate of the Centre sportif Soulanges. The proof? " We haven't yet discussed a plan B to relocate our players in the event of closure."

What is the state of mind of the young sportsmen and women who frequent the CSS as the possible closure approaches? "They know about it. They're afraid of losing their arena, but their presence at the Coteau-du-Lac, Coteaux and Saint-Zotique council meetings shows that they're ready to work to safeguard and defend it. The response from players and their families to get involved has been excellent. We can see that the subject is close to their hearts," he says.

What message would he like to send to the elected representatives who are dithering over the proposal? "The future of our young people is at stake. If the arena closes, where will young people go to get moving in Vaudreuil-Soulanges? There aren't many other alternatives on the territory. Will high school students who stay in school because they can play field hockey drop out if the arena closes? Sport helps young people to have a healthy lifestyle."

Finally, how can the regional population support the Association in its determination to save the Centre sportif Soulanges? "By showing up at upcoming municipal councils in December to make elected officials aware of the cause. We can also call on MNAs Marilyne Picard and Claude DeBellefeuille to take our message to the Quebec National Assembly and the House of Commons in Ottawa," he concludes.