Next week’s Montana Pond Hockey Classic will be relocated to Woodland Park, Kalispell Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Diane Medler said Wednesday.

“There’s good ice at Foy’s [Lake] but just with the forecasted warm temperatures, we’re not sure any new ice would be built up,” Medler said.

After drilling a few holes into the ice on Foy’s Lake with members of the Smith Valley Fire Department, Medler decided to relocate the tournament to Woodland Park for the second year in a row.

“It’s still outdoor hockey,” she said. “It’s still the same vibe and it’s a great place for spectators to come watch.”

The seven rinks will be a little smaller than the ones planned for Foy’s Lake, but the size will be consistent with the space in last year’s tournament.

When warmer weather pushed the hockey event to Woodland Park last year, organizers did not have enough time to make all arrangements such as acquiring a special alcohol permit for the park.

Last week, Kalispell City Council approved a special alcohol permit “in case” the event moved to Woodland Park, securing a permit for one of the Classic’s biggest sponsors, Tamarack Brewing Co.

There are 70 hockey teams registered, including teams traveling from Canada, Washington, Oregon and California. That’s about 10 more than last year, which has been the typical growth for the event in each of the three years, Medler said.

Medler said this is the first year the Convention and Visitors Bureau has put a 70-team cap on the event.

“Knowing there’s always a chance to be relocated to Woodland Park, that’s a good number,” she said.

Last year, Sportsman & Ski Haus won the open division, earning an engraved spot on the Monty Cup carved by Jeff Fleming.

Player check-in begins at 5 p.m. on Feb. 18 at Moose’s Saloon. The Pond Hockey Classic begins Feb. 19 at 9 a.m. and runs through Feb. 21. Community skate time will be available on Feb. 20 between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

“It depends on how the pond does over the week, but we’ll work with the Flathead Valley Hockey Association and find a way for families and kids to get on the ice,” Medler said.

For more information on the event, visit www.pondhockeyclassic.com/montana.

Reporter Seaborn Larson may be reached at 758-4441 or by email at slarson@dailyinterlake.com.