With Civic Center closing, Savannah’s hockey future skates toward Port Wentworth

by Cam McCann

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Those involved in Savannah recreational hockey will have to wait to enjoy lacing up their skates and dropping pucks.

Recreational Savannah hockey has been canceled for both the youth and adult leagues for the time being and this is because Zawyer sports, the one who runs it at the Civic Center, couldn’t come up with an agreement with the city to rent it out in it’s final year before it gets demoed.

While hockey at the Civic Center is on hold, plans are already underway for a new ice facility in Port Wentworth.

SEE: Ghost Pirates, Port Wentworth break ground on team training facility and amphitheater

“Well it’s a big impact because of school and all the other family things that are associated with it and then the increased travel, it just makes it more difficult,” said Ed Boring, recreational ice hockey player.

Ed Boring says he and his grandson now have to travel hours away for hockey, instead of using the civic center which is conveniently in the middle of Savannah.

At Thursday’s city council, Alderman Detric Leggett brought the concerns of families to the city manager.

“Is it safe to say that the measures that we’ve taken now is for the safety of any individual that go into that site now and moving forward?”

“Yes sir absolutely that is our reasoning behind it,” Alderman Detric Leggett.

“I think the future of public skating is gonna really be at the Port Wentworth facility and it’s partnership with the Ghost Pirates,” said City Manager Joseph “Jay” Melder.

Neither Zawyer sports or the Ghost Pirates gave an answer on when or if they’ll bring back their recreational leagues in Savannah.

“We’re gonna plan around it, we’re going to have our travel plans ready,” said Boring. “We’re going to do homework in the car and meals on the road and we’re gonna try and make the best of it.”

Now the Ghost Pirates have said that anchor Park at least the hockey rink is scheduled to be finished with construction by early 2026 in the first quarter.