Anderson and his wife Deborah are also building a dream. They founded the Outdoor Ball Hockey League, which is based out of Fifty Point Conservation Area.

“It’s my passion. To me it’s a no-brainer in this country,” Anderson said. “Everybody plays street hockey. Even if you play ice hockey, this way, in the summer and fall, you can get outdoors, get exercise and still be playing hockey.”

Anderson, a broadcast engineer, played soccer, baseball and ice hockey growing up and played road hockey with his buddies all through high school. Every Sunday in the winter, they’d play on tennis courts.

He and his wife, who live in Smithville, wanted to give people a better place to play.

“We are taking street hockey to the next level. We have referees, stats, scorekeepers, players’ benches.”

Ryan and Deborah took a business course at Niagara College, applied for a bank loan and created a thick business plan. Then it took almost six years of contacting municipalities and private companies for land.

When they approached the Hamilton Conservation Authority, Anderson said they “hopped all over it.”

“So now we have a partnership and it’s a great location, right at the QEW,” he said.

Garnet Cowsill, a spokesperson for the HCA, says ball hockey was a natural fit for Fifty Point.

“Like most things you can do at a conservation area, ball hockey eliminates the need for expensive equipment and can be played year-round. It opens up the world of hockey to many who could otherwise only watch,” he said.

“The sport not only promotes healthy activity for children, but gives those of all ages and abilities an opportunity to have fun playing Canada’s favourite game.”

Cowsill says the HCA liked the opportunity to give the public something beyond the usual swimming, hiking, boating, fishing, cycling and camping.

“The rink site had been used previously for overflow parking and storage and will have no environmental impact on the conservation area’s ecosystem,” he added.

Anderson is working around the clock to build the league, which he hopes will become his full-time job and grow to include other locations. He built his Web site and his office trailer, as well as the rink, which at 25 per cent smaller than a regulation ice rink, he says is perfect for five-on-five ball hockey.

The Andersons signed the contract the same month their eight-month- old son was born. They also have a three-year-old daughter.

“It’s been a bit crazy. It’s just me, my wife, a bank loan and a business plan,” he said. “But it's my dream. I want to build a fun, safe hockey league for all ages. I want to build a passion for the game.”

And besides, isn’t it everybody’s dream to play a full game of ball hockey without having to yell ‘car’?”