Donations fund second hockey storage shed

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake City Council accepted donations from area hockey clubs to pay for a second storage shed/changing room at the city’s ice rink.

The Moses Lake Youth Hockey Association gave $3,000 and the Moses Lake Adult Hockey Association contributed $2,000, which Parks and Recreation director Spencer Grigg said will cover the full cost of the project.

“We’re walking a fine line as far as applicable uses for applicable buildings and not violating any of the codes that exist,” Grigg said. “Technically these are storage sheds but they do at times have people enter them and change ... They’re as multi-purpose as they come.”

When the ice rink first opened hockey players were changing in the parking lot, Grigg said, which was awkward — and cold.

As climate controlled locker rooms are expensive, Grigg explained the city opted to build a storage shed for hockey gear that doubles as a changing room. Having two such sheds will allow more than one team to change during tournaments.

Mayor Jon Lane asked Grigg if he’s had any feedback from the public about having an hour less to skate on Saturdays during this season. In October the council approved a request by the Moses Lake Youth Hockey Association to rent an extra hour of ice time for practice.

“It’s a little early to know because we just opened,” Grigg said. “At this point in time we’ve balanced the needs of both the open recreational skaters and the hockey players. We’ll see how it plays out but we haven’t heard an outcry of any type.”