Shellbrook ready for hockey day weekend

“I think everybody understands just how important the arena is, not only to the Town of Shellbrook, but also to surrounding communities that utilize it. It’s the gathering place in the winter,” she said. “To date, we’re at $320,000.”

The organizing committee is aiming to raise $50,000 this year. Gosselin said the financial success of the event goes back to support from a wide range of people.

“It’s just all done in part of the support of the local communities,” she said.

The arena in Shellbrook has begun to see more use as some of the neighbouring communities have seen issues with their arenas.

“A lot of those kids are coming into Shellbrook to play,” Gosselin said.

For the banquet, organizers have been able to attract some well-known figures to take part. Gosselin said they try to stay as close to home as possible when looking for guest speakers to take part.

“Premier Moe’s going to be the emcee Saturday night at the banquet … Robyn Regehr is one of our guest speakers, along with Roger Millions,” she said.

Brent Miller is the Chair of the Shellbrook Recreational Steering Committee. This group is responsible for coordinating and working with all the community groups helping to raise funds for the improvements to the arena. The committee is also responsible for getting the needed work done for the facility.

Miller said those involved with Hockey Day in Shellbrook have been a big part of the arena project.

“They’re tremendously important and of course so many people from the community are involved in them and so it filters back to other organizations,” he said.

Miller said word has gotten out about how many people have been involved with the fundraising project, and that has helped get some outside groups involved and helping as well.

Currently, the steering committee is accepting bids and tenders for some important work on the rink, which is set to be done this summer.

“Right now, we’re in the process of getting tender or quotes for doing the new rink service,” Miller said.

There has already been quite a bit of work done on the facility, ranging from the cooling plant to a reverse osmosis water system.

“By the time we’re done we’ll have spent in the vicinity of $2.4 million and we’re hoping to bring that number down by good management,” Miller said.

Planning and work for the arena started in 2016. If all goes according to plan, the work is expected to be finished by mid-2020.

MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn

by Michael Joel-Hansen

Shellbrook ready for hockey day weekend

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