KINDERSLEY, SK — Community spirit is proving to be stronger than competition in West Central Saskatchewan. The Town of Kindersley announced today a pledge: should the West Central Events Centre (WCEC) be named the winner of Kraft Hockeyville, the Town will donate the equivalent $250,000 grand prize and proceeds from the hosted NHL pre-season game to help rebuild the fire-devastated Dodsland Sports Centre.
A Legacy of Support
The decision stems from a deep-rooted understanding of loss. In 2010, Kindersley was rocked by an arena fire. While the WCEC currently requires its own essential upgrades, including the replacement of rink boards, Town Council and administration felt a calling to assist their neighbors.
The grand prize also includes the opportunity to host an NHL pre-season game and Kindersley would provide the West Central Events Centre to host the game but, due to the unique nature of Hockeyville requirements, the Town was unable to support Dodsland’s submission directly with that offer. “This additional exposure helps support the tremendous fundraising efforts already undertaken by Dodsland and the surrounding area, and we hope it assists them in achieving their goal of rebuilding the Dodsland Sports Centre,” said Marty Baroni, Chief Administrative Officer for the Town of Kindersley.
More Than Just Ice
For rural Saskatchewan, an arena is the lifeline of the winter season—a hub for youth development and a gathering place for families. The loss of the Dodsland Sports Centre has left local athletes without a home rink and a community without its central meeting point.
How the Public Can Help
The winner of Kraft Hockeyville is partly determined by community engagement. We are calling on residents of West Central Saskatchewan any beyond to share their experiences at either or both arenas to help one of us be named a finalist by sharing their memories and photos:
- Share Your Story: Upload your photos and stories of either or both the Dodsland Sports Centre and the West Central Events Centre. The more community impact we demonstrate, the closer we get to one of us being a finalist to represent Saskatchewan for the grand prize.
- Dodsland Sports Centre: https://hockeyville.kraftheinz.com/community/dodslandsportscenter/?locale=en
- West Central Events Centre: https://hockeyville.kraftheinz.com/community/kindersleywestcentraleventscentre/?locale=en
- Direct Donations: If you wish to contribute directly to the Dodsland Sports Centre rebuild fund, donations can be made here: https://saskfoundation.ca/funds/dodsland-sports-centre-campaign/
Media Contact:
Anna Polsfut
Communications Coordinator
306-463-2675
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