[SumAznGuy]

I think M3thods hit the nail on the head.
The biggest issue is that it's almost at the border. By the time I make the trek to Tswassenn, I could have ordered the items online and had it shipped to PT. Roberts or Blaine.
Maybe the Richmond/Surrey crowd may benefit, but then you also have Cyclone/THS/Icelevel to compete with.

I can tell you why hockey isn't as big here as it is in Alberta. 2 factors, people are having less kids, mild weather so that kids have more options for sports to play.
Other than the last 2 winters for a couple of days, the winters generally isn't could enough to play pond hockey.
In most parts of Alberta/and all the other provinces as you head east, most families have a back yard rink or has a neighbour that does.

But for the parents who do have kids enrolled in hockey, I know a bunch that take hockey seriously and are buying their kids $280+ top of the line one piece sticks, $600 skates, etc.... They also enroll their kids in skating camps, hockey schools, skills camp, personal trainers, and shooting camps and summer tournements to play with other kids from other leauges.