The Verdun Minor Hockey Association (VMHA) says it is being priced out of their rink. Ice rental prices have increased in the past two years, and the non-profit organization says they worry that the price will make hockey for local youth unaffordable. Before the renovations at Verdun Auditorium, VMHA president Jean-François Guay says ice rental for his teams cost $20 per hour. Now, that price has tripled. “We are paying $59 for an hour, so we had around 1,400 hours to pay and it cost around $80,000 to the association. Last year, we had a deficit of $45,000 because we can’t afford to pay for ice rental for the association,” said Guay. He doesn’t want to pass the costs onto the players’ families. “We’re charging about $430 a year,” said Guay. ”This year, we have increased $50 this year, but if we want to be like ‘cost price’, we should charge around $650-$700.” In an email to CTV News, a spokesperson for the borough said: “Following major investments of more than $42 million, the choice was made to give Verdun auditorium commercial status, which includes ice rental rates. This maximizes revenues generated, in order to respect the ability of Verdun residents to pay.” The borough office also says it’s “sensitive to the concerns raised by sports organizations, but the rates currently in effect are in the average of those observed in several Montreal boroughs.” Guay adds that the commercial status of the Verdun Auditorium means they can host big events like the Cheerleading Championships that were held onsite in July 2026. He adds, however, that his league is still losing money, and that means players will have to pay higher fees. Guay says he worries that increased costs over ice time will leave many families unable to afford minor hockey.
