SASKATOON – All summer the residents of Landis, Sask., thought about winter.
Whether working in the field, greeting old friends at a big homecoming or working in school, almost everyone found their thoughts turning to the local rink.
Yet it will be at least another year before children lace up their figure skates, or a local hockey team takes to the ice.
Last year the west-central Saskatchewan community of less than 300 people realized their rink, which first opened in 1964, could no longer be insured.
Read Also
Interest in biological crop inputs continues to grow
It was only a few years ago that interest in alternative methods such as biologicals to boost a crop’s nutrient…
Its design made it necessary to replace it, rather than risk the danger of collapse, said local resident Randy Miller. The old rink was demolished.
The nearest rink is 30 kilometres away and getting ice time there has proven difficult. There is also the difficulty of playing with teams that had formerly been rivals.
After a community meeting last February, more than 100 people voted in favor of trying to raise $350,000 needed for a rink.
“It’s a basic structure, no artificial ice,” said Miller. “We don’t want a Cadillac, but a Volkswagen – a low-maintenance Volkswagen.”
Hoping to begin on the new rink this summer, people began dreaming up different fund-raising methods including a homecoming, a mud fling and a dance.
Volunteers eager to begin
With about $100,000 raised so far toward their target, people are optimistic. Volunteers are already planning to build the rink, and Miller said the steel building design will be built to last for generations.
One of the more innovative fund-raising ventures arose when a local farmer donated land, offering 240 acres of cultivated land and about the same in pasture, free to fundraisers for a year as long as they paid the taxes on it.
About 15 different farmers donated time, machinery, fertilizer or fuel to work the land through to harvest. Various suppliers shared costs on other inputs.
Miller, who serves as the land co-ordinator, said the group hopes the crop will raise up to $18,000. As well, the village of Landis has arranged to buy the three quarters of land in March and offer it as first prize in a land raffle.
