I am a hockey player. I don't play well, but I love the sport and the culture. It continues to upset me that Bend spent well over 10 million dollars on a facility that a: does not support year-round ice, b: has one sheet of ice, c: cultivated a scenario in which getting ice time is extremely difficult. In looking into the costs of a year-round ice facility, it seems that Bend could've had the opportunity to provide its youth and tax-paying constituents year-round ice skating for much, much less (estimates for other facilities in the region range from 3 - 7 million). In exchange, we have a facility with a very neat statue out front, fire pits for the fans, an entryway that is difficult to navigate with a hockey gear bag, and limited parking. I shake my head when thinking what we could have had instead. Now, when I want to try to get open ice time, I have to be on my computer the minute a session is opened. Last week when trying to get into a pick-up game, I was four minutes late to register and found that I am 5th on the waitlist. Well done Bend. You've taken your ice and turned it into an aesthetically pleasing place that is so overbooked that it's nearly impossible for citizens to enjoy.