Bee Editorial
Spectators at Pepsi Center are not safe
Without full protective netting around the ice surfaces at the Amherst Pepsi

Center, no one standing or sitting alongside the rinks is safe there during hockey games or practices.

The town has no plans to install full netting, so be warned. Officials cite cost as the primary reason why.

The National Hockey League mandated end zone nets in 2002 after a teenage girl was struck and killed by a puck at a game in Columbus, Ohio. Many rinks across the United States and Canada quickly followed suit. Such is the case at the majority of rinks in this area, including Holiday Twin Rinks in Cheektowaga.

That rink is privately owned. The Amherst Pepsi Center is a municipal facility, making the fact that its management does not take action to ensure the safety of spectators even more frightening and disappointing.

As a family friendly facility, the Amherst Pepsi Center often attracts younger siblings who amuse themselves alongside the rinks while action takes place on the ice. These toddlers may not be watching when a puck heads their way. We cannot be proud of a town facility that puts the average citizen at risk.

Funds should be appropriated for the purchase of full netting, and it should be installed as soon as possible. Hundreds of house league hockey players have already begun the season. Within a few weeks, high school games will be contested on the feature rink. Amherst has had four years to budget for simple improvements that would ensure the safety of anyone who attends games or practices at the facility; Hanging a net at one end is insufficient.

Priority should be given to the feature rink, with its larger seating capacity. Also, netting should be in place wherever anyone can stand or watch the activity at the other three rinks.

Most facilities have received insurance discounts for keeping their customers safer, according to Dave Hoffman, risk manager for the Massachusetts District, and Murray Stall, risk manager for the Mid-America District, writing in the latest issue of USA Hockey magazine.

"Facilities are now aware of the dangers, and defending lawsuits may become tougher," they wrote. "While the installation of safety netting will save arenas money on their insurance, the peace of mind it will give everyone involved is priceless. Why are community rinks still hesitating to install spectator netting?"

It is ironic that a huge safety net protects the Amherst Pepsi Center parking lot from foul balls behind the baseball diamond, yet anyone viewing action in the feature rink might be struck by a frozen puck. Are our cars more important than our families?