INNISFAIL – It’s not Hockey Night in Canada but for many local parents whose kids are aspiring ice heroes it’s the next best thing.
On Nov. 25 Innisfail town council approved a venue agreement for the installation of proprietary broadcast streaming services with LiveBarn in the Innisfail Twin Arena for a six-year term.
With that approval LiveBarn’s streaming service is expected to be installed at the arena by the spring of 2025.
“I've heard good things about this, as to watching your young kids, and grandparents being across the country and being able to log on. I think this is a good thing,” said Coun. Jason Heistad.
LiveBarn is a Montreal-based subscription-based live streaming service that has gained popularity since being founded in 2015.
The company is now billing itself as the world's largest broadcaster of youth and amateur sports in scores of communities across North America.
Meghan Jenkins, director community services for the Town of Innisfail, told council that LiveBarn’s reach is now extended to 111 Alberta locations, including ice arenas in Olds, Sundre, Penhold, Sylvan Lake, Bentley, Rimbey, Red Deer, Blackfalds, Lacombe, Stettler, Trochu and Three Hills.
Jenkins told council there is no cost to the facility owner (Town of Innisfail) beyond providing internet connectivity.
She said LiveBarn provides all the required hardware and software.
Jenkins said the service can be utilized by facility users at their discretion. The cost for users for a monthly subscription to LiveBarn is currently at $14.95 or $24.95.
“It is something, particularly with hockey and lacrosse, that lots of parents can utilize when they can't attend all of the games their children are participating in,” said Jenkins told council.
However, she added LiveBarn does require exclusivity to broadcast content using unmanned cameras, which she said does limit some ability for groups to broadcast feeds from stationary unmanned cameras.
Council was told that activities at a venue can be “blacked out” at any time, such as for activities at the arena by the Innisfail Men’s Recreation Hockey League and the Innisfail Skating Club.
Jenkins said both groups, along with the local Mavericks Junior Lacrosse team that does its own live streaming, have told the town they are opposed to the LiveBarn installation.
However, Jenkins report to council said the Innisfail Eagles, Innisfail Minor Hockey Association and the Innisfail Minor Lacrosse Association have expressed initial support for the concept, although the Eagles have also indicated the team could opt out.
“The Eagles have expressed they will likely request that they may be blacked out, and may not utilize the service,” said Jenkins, adding the senior men’s hockey team may want to do their own live streaming.
Jenkins added the Innisfail Skating Club could even schedule a live streaming broadcast for its end of the year ice show but not for practices.
Council was told administration has requested additional clarity from LiveBarn on the limitations of alternate broadcasting.
