Gearing up for hockey in St. Vital

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 26/08/2020 (1918 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

With news of Dale Hawerchuk’s death fresh in my mind, I have decided to scrap my planned column and instead write about hockey in St. Vital as the hockey season beckons and with ice going in at the St. Vital Arena.

I was never a good player, but the appeal of hockey still runs strong.

St. Vital Arena has received an exterior upgrade this summer through funding from MLA Rochelle Squires and my ward funding. A new electronic sign is in the works and the outside garden project has received tons of positive feedback. The parking lot, however, has not received tons of positive feedback and I am still trying to secure the huge funding that project will require.

St. Vital ward’s other indoor rink at Glenwood Community Centre is also getting an upgrade, with $80,000 for new rink glass provided for in the city budget (Dakota C.C. and its rinks are just outside of my ward). This follows on a big upgrade in 2014 funded by then-MLA Nancy Allan, MP Shelly Glover and the city.

I am also proud to support outdoor hockey. A few years back I funded new rink boards at the Sami Jo Small Hockey Centre at Norberry-Glenlee Community Centre.

Last year, MP Dan Vandal and I teamed up to get outdoor rink boards at Windsor C.C., and this year’s city budget included $80,000 towards new rink boards at Greendell C.C. The boards of directors at all the local community centres have been excellent to deal with.

Finally, I wanted to recall that I met Dale Hawerchuk when he headlined a fundraiser for Dakota Collegiate Alumni Field in 2016. His appearance generously supported a facility for sports such as football, soccer and cricket, and it will always be appreciated.

I felt it appropriate to take a moment to celebrate his sport.