A group of concerned parents in Charlottetown is worried that the recent rise in fees for minor hockey participation in the city may hinder some children’s aspirations of playing the sport. The amalgamation of the Charlottetown and Sherwood leagues earlier this year resulted in the formation of the Greater Charlottetown Minor Hockey Association.
Upon setting the team and registration fees for the 2025-26 season, the association surprised some parents with a significant cost increase compared to the previous year. Andrew Wood, whose son Emery participates in recreational under-18 hockey with the newly established Islanders team, expressed dismay at the substantial fee hike this year.
Wood highlighted his concerns, stating, “To me, it’s kind of shocking. Nobody seems to have any answers or rationale behind why such a substantial increase in one year.” He emphasized worries about the financial strain on families and the potential exclusion of kids from the sport due to the escalating costs.
According to information on the Greater Charlottetown Minor Hockey Association’s website, team fees for the regular season cover expenses such as ice time at rinks, referee fees, player and staff insurance, and some equipment costs. The team fee is divided among the rostered players and excludes expenses related to participating in tournaments throughout the year or player registration.
Jill Jenkins, a parent with five boys involved in the association, expressed surprise at the significant fee increase from the previous year and suggested that better communication about the fees beforehand could have influenced parents’ decisions to register their children.
Keith Ford, the president of the Greater Charlottetown Minor Hockey Association, explained that the fees were adjusted to align with the actual operational costs incurred by the association. He emphasized that the fees are necessary to cover the expenses of running the teams at a competitive level, with ice time being the most substantial cost followed closely by equipment expenses.
The parents are advocating for increased transparency from the association regarding its financial breakdown and expenditure. Jenkins stressed the importance of fair practices, stating, “We are the ones that pay for all of these things, and it’s not fair. It’s just not fair.” She called for a reassessment before committing to further payments.
Overall, the parents are seeking clarity and understanding about the fee structure to ensure that the costs are reasonable and justified for all families involved in minor hockey in Charlottetown.
