Port Alberni - April 16, 2025 - On Sunday, April 13, 2025, the City of Port Alberni was alerted to a technical issue with the Alberni Valley Multiplex ice plant, the refrigeration system responsible for creating and maintaining the ice surfaces in the facility. Out of an abundance of caution, the city followed protocol and immediately shut down the ice plant, closed the facility and called Fraser Valley Refrigeration, its certified contracted technician, to assess the system’s operations.
As a result of this downtime, the Weyerhaeuser ice warmed, making it unfit for use. With the Alberni Valley Bulldogs still in playoff contention, this loss of ice means that future playoff games cannot be played in the Alberni Valley Multiplex.
While this is deeply disappointing, the Bulldogs organization has secured ice at the Frank Crane Arena in Nanaimo and will continue its 2025 Rogers BCHL Playoff run in that facility.
“We’ve built something special with this group, and our fans have been behind us every step of the way,” said Joe Martin, Head Coach and General Manager of the Alberni Valley Bulldogs. “Although we’re disappointed we won’t be playing in Port Alberni, we’re committed to making the Frank Crane Arena feel like home—and we know our fans will help us bring that Bulldogs atmosphere to Nanaimo.”
The city will keep the fans and community informed as the full technical scope of the issue becomes clear.
For ticket information, visit: albernivalleybulldogs.ca
FOR MORE INFORMATION
City of Port Alberni: Communications@portalberni.ca
Alberni Valley Bulldogs: stefanie@avbulldogs.ca