Carla Swaby and her three sons helped officially open the Matt Swaby Memorial Rink. (Submitted photo)

By Nigel Maxwell

Community support

East Central School realizes rink dream

Jan 20, 2023 | 4:00 PM

Nearly a year and a half ago, East Central School Principal Joanne Tournier was staring out at a grass-covered structure that in no way resembled the community hub it once was.

On Thursday night, Tournier was joined by over 100 local community members and school staff for the grand opening of their new skating rink. Fundraising was started in the fall of 2021, which more than doubled its original $100,000 goal. Tears welled up in Tournier’s eyes as she watched dozens of young skaters skate onto the ice surface for the first time.

“It’s a dream come true. It’s something we hoped for, something we wished for but you don’t realize how important it is, how special it is until you see it being enjoyed by the people it was meant for,” she said.

After the community’s previous rink was destroyed by flooding several years ago, planning started roughly 18 months ago for a suitable replacement. A number of local fundraisers followed including a walkathon, a value-village fun drive, a Christmas trade show, and raffles. Tournier explained the rink truly belongs to the community.

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“If it wasn’t money they contributed, then it was their time, their energy, it was their willingness to help and do whatever was needed to make this happen,” she explained.

In addition to community support the school also received a grant of $87,000 through the federal government’s community revitalization fund. Congratulating the community on their accomplishment, NHL player Josh Manson sent a personal video message, which was played during Thursday’s night reception.

“As a kid growing up in Prince Albert myself, I know the importance of having an outdoor, a place to go and be active with friends and most importantly make memories,” he said

The community waits patienty for the ribbon to be cut. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

One of the more emotional moments of the night came with the announcement the rink was being named in honor of Matt Swaby, who was tragically killed in a farming-related accident around the same time as fundraising started. Matt’s children attend the school, and Tournier explained he was always very passionate about the project as a community member and parent.

“He was just such an inspiration to so many of us and the school has been so important to his family,” she said “To be able to acknowledge the role he played in making our world a better place was just so important.”

Matt’s wife Carla Swaby cut the ribbon, and along with her three sons, skated the first laps around the rink. She later acknowledged to paNOW how emotional it was for her to be a part of the rink’s grand opening.

“I mean look at it, it’s just so beautiful. It just makes me appreciate my family, my husband and my community,” she said.

Carla revealed she was informed about the school’s plan to name the rink in honor of Matt about a couple of weeks ago and said it was a wonderful surprise.

“I knew it was something our boys would always be proud of,” she said.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell