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The Eagles lost their last roundâ€"robin game4â€"2 to the same team the met in the finals, but collectively thought they would give them a better game when they faced them again. But a breakaway by Stephanie Schmalz to open the championship game rung Continued from page 30 Senior "A" women‘s hockey Tegm captain Jackie Qulaâ€" hen said the team was hoping for better after beating Thunâ€" der Bay and the other Quebec team in the tournament in the roundâ€"robin that started last Friday. Voices of support louder than you think Eagles see silver lining in season Yet, here they were three years later attending a funcâ€" tion at the very project promised to them. And while there were some elbow nudges and knowing winks as the guests at the reception were greeted by by members of city council as the entered the Manulife Sportsplex‘s brand new 700â€" And while the idea was greeted with enthusiasm, some of the people in attenâ€" dance that April night in 1999 said they wouldn‘t believe it until the could actually see it. Waterloo had a habit of promising the moon, yet sending all the cars to sports venues in Kitchener. After all, it was just three short years ago at the 36th annual dinner that the city promised to build a stateâ€"ofâ€" theâ€"art sports park that would benefit many of the groups in attendance that evening. wonder if the people Ianending the 38th annual Waterloo Minor Sport Volâ€" unteer Recognition appreciâ€" ated the irony of the night. harmlessly off the post, and Quebec scored on the ensuâ€" ing rush up the ice. It‘s usually that way in hockey. When one team missâ€" es an opportunity to score, the other team capitalizes. Ringing two more goal posts sounded the death knell for the Eagles as Quebec built an insurmountable 3â€"0 lead on their way to the 5â€"0 final. While the financial scanâ€" dal will rage until all the quesâ€" person banquet room, most chose to marvel at the facility instead of dwell on the finanâ€" cial mess that has shrouded the project for the past year. And that‘s the point lost on a lot of critics of the project. People have been coming out in droves to RIM Park and marvelling at the scope of the project and how it has delivâ€" ered so many different recreâ€" ational opportunities in one unified area. BOB VRBANAC If the team could battle all that adversity and win, what were the capable of next year with all that behind them? But considering where the team started the year, the Eagles didn‘t even think they‘d get the opportunity. "It wasn‘t something we expectâ€" ed when we laced them up to start the year," said Qulahen. Coach Tony Schmalz, who joined the team in time for their unlikely run, also saw the silver lining in the Eagles® secondâ€"place finish. "They‘re really eager to learn," said Schmalz, about the Eagles. "Now they‘ve got something else to work for." But other people have already figured that out. That‘s why Davis Cup Tennis made a stop here, an event that turned out to be wildly successful. When international observers come to take part in a tournament they‘re blown away but what they‘ve seen. California residents have told MacNeil that they have nothing like it, and they live in the most populous state in the union. _ The ice sheets are always busy, and the indoor gymnaâ€" sium is always full. Wildhawks basketball proâ€" moter Dave MacNeil said his facility costs are almost douâ€" ble what he used to pay when he rented space from the local school boards. But the parent and players all agree it‘s worth it to play at a facility like RIM Park. tions are finally answered at an upcoming inquiry, the users of the facility are voting with their feet and taking advantage of all the new perks of the park. So anytime you feeling like stewing about the extra $33 million it‘s going to cost to finance the project over the next 25 years, walk it off. May I suggest the commuâ€" nity trails that surround Grey Silo golf course. Maybe it‘ll help cool you down. And the Canadian Nationâ€" al Ringette championships are already slotted in for next KT UHENER â€" WATERL OO JR. A. Lacrosse Action Friday, May 3 8:00 p.m. The Carica Arena Waterloo Recreation Complex TORONTO VS £7]