The West Hill Community Club is looking to further upgrade its facilities with the help of the Community Rink Affordability Grant program. (Logan Lehmann/paNOW Staff)

By Logan Lehmann

Supporting communities

Community Rink Affordability Grant program continues support of local rinks in P.A. and surrounding area

Oct 20, 2023 | 2:00 PM

Upgrades to a Prince Albert community rink were on full display as the province celebrated the success of its Rink Affordability Grant program.

Prince Albert and Provincial dignitaries were at the West Hill Community Club on Friday morning to discuss the program for the coming year.

Along with the discussion, a tour was given of the facility to showcase some of the upgrades that were made to the arena via the grant that was awarded last year.

“I grew up in the rinks. That’s where you went, that’s where you gathered,” said Prince Albert Northcote MLA Alana Ross. “[The Community Rink Affordability Grant] is a great program and it helps keep these rinks active in our communities. It’s great for the health and well-being of our kids and families and it builds strength in our communities.”

West Hill Community Club was one of 581 skating and curling rinks in the province to receive the $2,500 grant, helping the Club upgrade the canteen’s countertops and make the switch to LED lights to better illuminate the playing surface.

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The West Hill Community Club’s new countertops in the canteen. (Logan Lehmann/paNOW Staff)

This year, the Club is looking to further improve the facility with upgrades to the concrete foundation of the arena’s playing surface as well as upgrades to the boards on their outdoor rink.

“These facilities aren’t just for hockey, they’re for many other skating events,” said Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association President Jody Boulet. “As we’ve seen in the most recent years when we have situations like wildfires in our area or when COVID was present, [these facilities] serve as vaccination centres and evacuation centres so not only do they serve the public in terms of recreational ventures, but they are also community hubs and very important focal points in our communities.”

The Club installed new LED lights over the arena’s playing surface with the help of the program. (Logan Lehmann/paNOW Staff)

Several communities also received a $2,500 grant as part of the program to improve their local arenas, including Shellbrook, Birch Hills, Leask, and Kinistino. In Prince Albert, nine different rinks received a grant, although it was not specified how many of those were curling and hockey rinks.

The Community Rink Affordability Grant provides funding to help offset the costs of operating indoor skating and curling rinks in Saskatchewan. The grant is administered by the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association, on behalf of the Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport.

Applications for next year’s Community Rink Affordability Grant opened on Friday and will close in January. More information about the program can be found by clicking here.

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loganc.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com