WHITBY, ON - September 05, 2014 /CNW/ - The Town of Whitby is pleased to announce the return of the Scotiabank Backyard Rink. The program is free to children 7 years of age and under to practice the sport of hockey or ringette. It offers the ice, nets and professional facilities at Iroquois Park Sports Centre as a communal, indoor backyard rink; parents just need to provide the sticks, pucks and protective gear. The program is a key component of the three-way partnership amongst the Town of Whitby, Scotiabank and Whitby Minor Hockey Association launched in February 2009. The partnership has recently been renewed for another five year term.

"It is a pleasure to continue our partnership with Scotiabank in this program," says Mayor Pat Perkins.

Scotiabank has a long tradition of supporting hockey in Canada from local teams and minor hockey associations to professional players and leagues. Scotiabank's Community Hockey Sponsorship Program reaches out to over 5,000 minor hockey teams across the country.

"We are proud to be supporting the return of the Scotiabank Backyard Rink to Whitby," says Eiji Doi, District Vice President of the GTA East Region for Scotiabank. "As huge hockey fans, we understand how much hockey means to Canadians, particularly at the community level. This program has really been embraced by the town and we're looking forward to kids being able to play this great sport, learning about teamwork and having a lot of fun."

From September through March, the program runs Mondays (1:30-3:00 p.m.), Wednesdays (11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.) and Fridays (11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.) on Scotiabank Arena 1 at Iroquois Park Sports Centre, 500 Victoria Street West, Whitby, and on also on Wednesdays (1:00-2:30 p.m.) at Luther Vipond Memorial Arena, 67 Winchester Road East, Brooklin.

Doug Blakely
Manager of Advertising and Sponsorship
Phone: 905.430.4300 x7104
Email: blakelyd@whitby.ca