Hockey team hopes Halifax council will save Bedford's Lebrun arena

A pick-up hockey team that has used the Dr. Gerald J. LeBrun Recreation Centre in Bedford, N.S., for the past four years has no idea where they will be playing next season, as the arena is slated for closure.

"As of now we have no idea where or what time or even which day we'll end up on," said John Bryden. "Normally we wouldrebook by the end of April."

A new four-rink complex in Burnside is scheduled to open in the fall. Halifax recreation officials hadplanned to close four other arenas:the Gray and Bowles in Dartmouth, Devonshire in Halifax and LeBrunin Bedford.

But in recent years the Halifax area has lost rinks at Dalhousie University and at Shannon Park, leadingHalifax Regional Council toaskstaff to reconsider theplanned closures.

Bryden's Wednesday night group is made up of players fromSt. Margarets Bay, Halifax, Bedford and Dartmouth. LeBrun is centrally located and Bryden sees no reason why it should beshut down.

"It's a great rink.I don't understand why they would close downa community facility that is so relied upon," said Bryden.

A spokesperson for the municipality said a report on rink closures is expected in May or June.