Arena fund-raising initiative shifts into gear
Posted Feb 4, 2010 By Ryland Coyne
Email
Print
Tweet ThisEMC News - With construction of the new 1,500 seat arena now well under way, the local fund-raising committee is starting to ramp up its efforts in the community.
With a goal set at $1.3 million, the local group may just be warming up with a pre-game skate, but already local supporters have come forward with donations.
First out of the dressing room was Ross & Cooke Chartered Accountants who, Tuesday, pledged $500 toward the project. And there are more on the horizon, reports committee chair Rob Dopson.
He says the fact residents can see progress being made on the new facility helps as the fund-raising effort moves to a more public phase.
"I think the key was that we didn't want to hit the pre-Christmas, pre-January period," he said.
Committee member Margo Loughren says the plan going forward is to have a "sit down" with user groups this month during which they can brainstorm different ideas to boost the total. A large event to commemorate the closing of the now 60 year-old Memorial Community Centre is in the works for this spring and the local industrial hockey league hosted a hockey tournament last month with proceeds going to the new arena.
Dopson stresses this initiative "is a community project" and that he and the committee want to involve as many people from the community as possible whether that means taking on the organizing of a specific fund-raising event or joining the committee to provide direct input.
"We still want more people to jump on board," Loughren added.
A number of different ways to contribute have already been determined. They include:
- buying a Square Foot for $100 (names of all those who contribute will go on a plaque),
- sponsoring a seat (includes an engraved name plate) for $200,
- lobby sponsor for $1,000 (limited to 20 spots).
Larger commitments over a 10-year term feature sponsorship of the press box or trophy case for $5,000 to dressing rooms (10 in all) for $10,000 each, community halls (two) for $50,000 per hall, up to $100,000 for naming rights to each of the arena ice pads (Memorial Centre and Youth Arena), centre ice scoreboard, or exterior signage and advertising.
These are still early days for this effort but word of mouth is already having an effect. The first seat sponsors are Johnny Halpin and Peggy Warren with many more expected in the days ahead, Loughren says.
And committee member Chris Cummings has reported positive feedback from initial calls regarding the "corporate ask" within the community, she says.
Construction of the new arena by Saumure and Sons Construction has been ongoing since early fall.
Once completed, the $11.9 million recreation facility will feature an NHL-size ice pad (200 by 85 feet), 1,500 fixed seats, six large dressing rooms, a separate area for the Jr. A Bears, two referees' rooms, a minor hockey office, spacious lobby with concessions and staff offices, handicap accessible washrooms, an elevator, walking concourse and second floor community halls with viewing areas of all the action on the ice.
For more information about the arena fund-raising program and how to help, please contact Loughren at 613-283-4124, ext. 122.
