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2 <br /> themselves. She said the future of hockey at the Sportsplex is in trouble if it is not placed in the <br /> hands of volunteers and coaches that love the game. She said that it is currently headed to a <br /> business that wants to profit from the game rather than instill the love of it. She said that the <br /> coaches have been disregarded by the SportsPlex management. She said that she chose to <br /> speak because she selfishly wants to go back to skating and coaching with a clear heart and she <br /> knows that there are little girls there now learning to skate just like she did when she was three, <br /> and she knows that they are watching. <br /> Chris Bolduc, Hillsborough Hogs Hockey Director, said that many of his colleagues, <br /> parents, and coaches have spoken about the spirit of Hogs Hockey. He said that it is similar to <br /> the Hillsborough Hog Day Festival. He said that in 2019, the owner of the Carolina Hurricanes <br /> asked their PR department to expose Hurricanes Hockey to all of the hockey programs in and <br /> around Raleigh. He said that almost every rink within a 50-mile radius of PNC arena was <br /> emblazed with Hurricanes posters and colors. He said that Shane Willis, the Hurricanes manager <br /> of youth and amateur hockey, made a special phone call to the Hogs then-president, Gary <br /> Howard. He said that Shane Willis asked Gary Howard if they would be interested in rebranding <br /> their Triangle Youth Hockey (TYH) club to a more Hurricanes oriented look and feel. Gary <br /> explained to the board what was proposed by the Hurricanes and emphatically made it clear that <br /> they were not trying to take over but rather enhance and support our extraordinary efforts. He <br /> said that TYH has met and exceeded what they would expect from a grassroots organization, and <br /> they were proud of what they had accomplished, and they wanted to support their efforts to keep <br /> hockey accessible and affordable for all youth in Orange County. He said that his PR team <br /> discovered the Hillsborough Hog Days Festival when doing research on their community. He said <br /> that this festival has been going on since 1983 and raises funds for youth services throughout the <br /> county. He said it is the county's oldest and largest event and 100% of revenues go to support <br /> children's projects. He said that it is fitting that their mascot and organization go along with the <br /> iconic festival. He said it is rumored that the Hillsbrough Hog Mascot, Hamilton, and the <br /> Hurricanes Mascot, Stormie the Pig, are first cousins. He joked that the TYH mascot is the third <br /> cousin once removed, on Stormie's side of the family. He thanked the Board for their continued <br /> support of their organization. <br /> Joel Ackereizen said he is the parent of three Hillsborough Hogs players. He said he is <br /> also a certified coach. He said the past two meetings he has sat and read the emails. He thanked <br /> the Board for helping them out. He then turned to Willo (previous speaker)and said that he wants <br /> her to know that there is a two-year-old girl learning to skate with her dad and 17 year old brother. <br /> He thanked the Board for their time. <br /> Martin Molloy said he received an email that the mediation session was positive. He <br /> thanked the Board for their role in making that happen. He said they are not out of the woods and <br /> asked the Board to keep the pressure on the Sportsplex. He said that he took his son skating <br /> this past weekend and the Carolina Thunder have signups for three or four more teams that are <br /> coming soon. He said that will be two or more practices a week plus games, and that will take <br /> away from house recreational hockey. He said they needed the Board's support for house <br /> recreational hockey in the community. He said that the Hogs are working to create a compromise <br /> so they can serve as many kids as possible. He thanked the Board for their assistance and asked <br /> them to keep supporting local community groups. <br /> Nichole Palombo said she is a 16-year-old member of the Hillsborough Hogs. She said <br /> that she was hired by the Sportsplex and the Hogs. She said she is involved with both parties. <br /> She said that since COVID, the Sportsplex management has created a loss of community and it <br /> is now a toxic environment and not the family fun place that it used to be. She said that <br /> management will not talk to any person that does not agree with their programs. She said they <br /> lost the best coach, female hockey player, and employee when Willo left due to the hostility. She <br /> said they do not give notice about any decisions. She said the Hogs did not know they were <br /> unable to use the pucks anymore and that they also removed the women's locker room. She said <br />