Stew Hendry / Henry Viney Arena — Hockey

We attended the hockey program at Stew Hendry Arena in Calgary for my 9-year-old son, and overall, it was a solid experience. The coaching staff, especially a coach named Mark, was very engaged and offered plenty of individual feedback, which my son appreciated. He worked on his skating skills and learned some basic puck handling while making a few new friends. We usually carpool with other parents, which makes pickup much easier, though I did notice that the lines to get in can be long during peak times. The $100 fee seems reasonable for the hours spent on the ice, especially with the facility's quality. However, I would suggest arriving early to avoid the crowds. If you have an active child who enjoys team sports, I would recommend giving this program a shot, just be prepared for a bit of a wait at the entrance.

I enrolled my 9-year-old in the hockey program at Stew Hendry Arena in Calgary. The sessions are held weekly, and the instructor, Mike, has done a fantastic job keeping the kids engaged. My son was thrilled to work on his skating skills and even built confidence during the drills. I appreciate the small group sizes, which allowed for more personalized attention. One minor issue was the crowded waiting area during pickup; it can get a bit chaotic with parents and kids all trying to leave at the same time. However, the overall experience has been positive, and I feel my child is learning a lot while making new friends. If you're looking for a solid hockey program, this might be a good fit as long as you're prepared for the hustle and bustle at pickup time.