Moving Lancers Hockey Closer to Campus is a Win for All

By: Sam Moors

Photo Credit: @windsorwhky

Windsor – Imagine walking from class to your university’s hockey rink, where the energy of the game is just a few steps away.

For students, athletes, and fans alike, a hockey arena situated near campus isn’t just a convenience—it’s a game-changer.

The University of Windsor Lancers Men and Women’s hockey teams make their home the Capri Pizzeria Recreation Complex, a City of Windsor-owned facility located more than 5 kilometres south of campus.

Moving home ice closer to campus is a conversation that has been danced around and needs to be taken seriously. Not only would it be welcomed by our hockey players, but it would nudge Lancer fans and students to attend games.

Sierra Moreau, Lancers blueliner, values proximity to the rink.

“Being closer to campus would bring more fans,” Moreau said. She also noted how a closer location would impact Lancer hockey players. “It would be less stress. Also, to maybe walk to the arena would be great.”

Capri Pizzeria Recreation Complex, or the CPRC, has served the Lancers fine, but things could be better. The arena is nestled in Windsor’s suburbs, away from campus and away from where many students live, limiting student attendance.

Megan Lozinski, Lancer Home Events Coordinator at the University, was transparent about the challenges with the current location.

“Having all of our sports close to campus would be ideal,” Lozinski stated. “We frequently get buses for fans and students to be able to come (to Capri Pizzeria Recreation Complex).”

Now, Lozinski is right about providing a shuttle from campus to the arena. But this service is not offered every game.

As a student myself, out of all the emails I’ve received promoting Lancers hockey, a shuttle was offered only two out of the 15 total men and women’s hockey home games.

An Uber ride to the arena from campus will set you back anywhere from $15 to $20, depending on the time of day. What about the City of Windsor’s transit, you may ask? Get ready for the 45-minute ride. At least students can catch up on their readings. While the idea of walking over to the team’s arena with friends is a great one, prepare yourself for an hour and a half adventure along busy Huron Church Road.

The real solution here is an arena with a better location. After the opening of the Toldo Lancer Center (TLC) in 2022, which boasts beautiful facilities including a hardwood court and a new pool, I began to wonder why an arena was not included. My initial guess revolved around operating costs. However, I quickly remembered that the TLC includes a state-of-the-art pool, even though we don’t have a varsity swim team.

Recently, I attended a men’s hockey game as they faced off against Toronto Metropolitan University. Afterwards, I headed back to campus for the men and women’s basketball games at the TLC that same night. The largest discrepancy I noticed between the two atmospheres was the number of students in attendance and how that impacted the energy in the stands.

While the hockey game had some fans in the limited seats available, there was an obvious piece missing that comes along with every great university game – a dedicated student section. A vibrant student section had already formed by the time I entered the TLC. We’re talking high energy and student noise with every play, replete with relentless heckling of the opposing team. A section like this unites fans and contributes to the momentum of games hosted at the TLC.

Third-year defenceman and alternate captain on the men’s hockey team, Dylan Schives, enjoys sharing in-game moments with student fans.

“To have the students there and to create that atmosphere, for them to get together on a Friday or Saturday to enjoy the game and all celebrate the wins together along with us.”

Schives also mentioned this topic has been heavily discussed amongst his teammates and they’d be on board if the arena moved closer to campus.

Schives (right) celebrating with his teammates – Photo Credit: @windsormhky

Moving home ice closer to campus would be amazing for everyone – coaches, players, and fans. But if that’s not possible for reasons that are not made very clear, the added effort of dedicating a space for a Lancer’s student section could bring up the experience by a notch.

To rephrase the quote from the timeless movie Field of Dreams; If you build it (or at least move it), they will come.