HC Sierre launches an attack on the National League

class=”sc-3778e872-0 cKDKQr”>

“This project is groundbreaking, it’s about the survival of HC Sierre.” The words come from the president of the club, Alain Bonnet. That April 4, 2023 should be a turning point for the club from the sunniest Swiss city is an understatement. Chris McSorley, who sits at the same table, said: “It’s day one of a project to bring this club back to the National League. This club deserves to be among the elite.”

New stadium with two ice rinks in 2027

The former Servette-Zampano is involved in this project, which aims to bring a brand new stadium to the city of Valais by 2027. So far, a framework agreement has been signed between the city, Wallis Sport AG and Urban Project AG. The idea? In the district, just a few meters from the train station, there will be two ice rinks, numerous apartments and other indoor facilities.

HC Sierre must be given the chance to return to the top of Swiss ice hockey. “The club has not been represented in the House of Lords for over 30 years,” said Chris McSorley. “It’s about time that changed.” The man from Ontario knows what he’s talking about: “I was involved with the emergence of Servette in the early 2000s with Hugh Quennec. I also helped HC Lausanne get back to the elite level a few years ago. This project seems just as ambitious to me.”

The importance of juniors

HC Sierre is not that far yet. “But the prospect of two rinks is very important for our 250 juniors,” says Alain Bonnet. “If you want to be successful, you can only do that if you pay more attention to the youngsters.”

The steering group must set up a specific project by September. Is there a “danger” of a referendum? Pierre Berthod, president of the town council of Sierre, skilfully avoids the question: “Democracy is never a risk”. The cost of the infrastructure is estimated at CHF 75 million, of which CHF 30 million must come from the state treasury, including the city of Sierre and the communities in the district.

In Geneva, however, McSorley has already experienced what institutional stagnation means: the project for a new ice rink has been stalled for about 20 years. Isn’t he afraid to encounter a similar wall in Valais? “I surrounded myself with people who are well anchored in the region. There’s nothing that worries me.”

The project is now discussed. Now words just have to be followed by deeds.

Source : Blick