Sask. Gov. investing $1.4 million into hockey and curling rinks

Hockey is a staple in Saskatchewan. Almost every town has its own rink, no matter the size.

The provincial government’s Community Rink Affordability Grant gives rinks owned by either a school, the community, a non-profit, or an Indigenous group $2,500 to help with operating expenses.

According to statistics provided by the Saskatchewan government, the 2023–24 edition of the grant saw 340 communities and 585 rinks qualify. Of those rinks, 382 were dedicated to hockey, with 203 were for curling. A total of $1.4 million was given to rinks across the province.

Communiskate has recieved the provincial grant two years in a row. (Kaleb Sebastian / 980 CJME)

One of the rinks that benefited from the grant this year is Communiskate in Emerald Park. It’s located nine kilometers east of Regina.

Vice-President Andrew Boschman said this is the second year in a row they’ve received the grant.

$2,500 might not seem like a lot, but Boschman said it goes a long way.

“It means a lot. The costs have been going up exponentially over the last few years, both with utilities and wages is a big one. This year, the grant went to help some of the wage programs we’ve started. So, both increase wages and, you know, more benefits.”

Boschman highlighted that they don’t receive direct funding from Emerald Park or the RM of Edenwold.

However, the RM of Edenwold shared in a statement to 980 CJME that municipal and school tax abatements for Communiskate in 2023 provided nearly $55,000 in tax savings. The RM said it also provided a $15,000 recreation grant last year.

“It’s a not-for-profit community-owned rink… If we’re short cash, we gotta fundraise it somehow. So, the grant means a lot. It absolutely means a lot,” Boschman said.

He said the rink isn’t just used by the people of Emerald Park. “The major users are kids out of Emerald Park, White City, Balgonie, Pilot Butte, and the surrounding areas.”

The Emerald Park rink is using the grant for “wages” and “more benefits.” (Kaleb Sebastian / 980 CJME)

Todd Shafer is the CEO of the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association. He elaborated on the purpose of the grant and the eligibility requirements.

“It’s for minor repairs, operating costs within arenas and rinks. Essentially, in order to be eligible, you have to be a community, municipality, First Nation, (or) non-profit organization… So, you just can’t be a for-profit rink.”

Boschman hopes that the program will continue to run next year  and that Communiskate will continue to receive the grant money.

Editor’s note: This story was updated on June 17, 2024, to include information from the RM of Edenwold about indirect funding to Communiskate.