Stop trashing our arenas

Trash under the seats at Chatham Memorial Arena,

Walk the extra 15 steps.

While we focus on sports personalities, teams and all things sports-related here at Chatham-Kent Sports Network, we also realize that we have a public soap box that we can use from time to time.

We take that responsibility seriously, and at the end of the day we only use it to hopefully positively change things for the better.

Here’s a pet peeve that we see on a frequent basis at just about every Chatham-Kent arena. We are starting to see it at local ball fields and even in gymnasiums.

After hockey games, underneath where spectators are sitting there are empty popcorn bags, plastic soft drink bottles, coffee cups and wrappers.

After a recent Chatham Maroons playoff game there were three municipal employees walking in the stands cleaning up the mess. Somebody has to pay them to clean up the mess. That somebody is me and you.

I understand having a drink and a hot dog is part of the game. But when you get a chance walk the extra 20 or 30 feet and put the wrappers and cups in a nearby garbage can. You can do it in-between periods or you can do it after the game.

Putting garbage underneath your seat and expecting the Chatham-Kent garbage fairies to swoop in and clean up after you is just lazy. Also, cleaning up after yourself is something we all learned in kindergarten.

(As an aside, in my opinion Wallaceburg Memorial Arena has the best hot dogs in any Chatham-Kent arena. Also, if any small town is having a hockey tournament, stop by and have a peameal bacon sandwich, or two. You will thank me later.)