Meadow Lake applying for community ice rink funding (Government of Saskatchewan)

By Elliott Knopp

Rink Funding

Meadow Lake applying for community rink grant

Dec 9, 2020 | 2:51 PM

The City of Meadow Lake is working to secure additional funding for two ice rinks in the community.

On Monday, the City is expecting to file an application to the provincial government for the Community Rink Affordability Grant program (CRAG). The money from this program will be used to assist with some of the additional costs associated with running community-owned indoor skating and curling rinks. If the application is successful, the City will receive $2,500 per rink each year.

Parks and Recreation Manager Regan Beck said the financial support would be used to offset some of the operating costs the facility faces. He added the arena’s utilities are the biggest expense every month.

“Every little bit helps,” Beck said. “That really comes in handy right now, especially as we go through the COVID season here, and all of our registrations are cut back right now, too. This is a welcomed grant, and we are very appreciative of the Saskatchewan government for it.”

This grant money from the Government of Saskatchewan had been previously used to help cover rink operating costs and minor capital upgrades. This year, the government has added an option for the money to be used to outfit the facility with COVID-19 related expenses.

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Beck mentioned the arena is constantly being repaired, and the City has money set aside in the budget for upgrades. The arena has seen a reduction in registration and income this year, so the financial boost comes as a relief to Beck and city officials.

“Our budget well exceeds the grant money, so we’re very happy to do it. We’ve made the decision here in Meadow Lake to keep operating through this. Our rink has run its regular hours, and we’re planning on going right until the end of the season.”

Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association president T.J. Biemans stated this program’s importance to ice facilities across the province as they face challenges stemming from the pandemic.

“These facilities are integral to the vitality and wellbeing of our communities, with this funding coming at a time when that has never been more necessary,” Biemans said.

The province is expecting more than 600 arenas in 400 communities to qualify as eligible for financial support. The City of Meadow Lake is expected to file two separate applications for the skating rink and the curling rink.

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Elliott.Knopp@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @ElliottKnopp