Officials say the Mapleton Arena eXpansion (MAX) committee is alive and well, but they want to remind the community the committee still needs financial and volunteer help in order to reach its $250,000 fundraising pledge.
The committee, which consists of representatives from minor hockey, figure skating, senior hockey and the Moorefield Optimist and Drayton Kinsmen clubs, was formed several years ago to help Mapleton Township offset its portion of a project to add dressing rooms and storage at the PMD Arena in Drayton.
In 2007-08 the decision was made to add the dressing rooms, a cost of $1.2 million, with government grants to covering about $500,000 of that total.
“This would leave the ratepayers … to cover the municipality’s share of the total cost,” said MAX committee spokesman Ron Ellis.
To prevent that, and a large accompanying tax increase, the MAX committee was formed and made the pledge to raise $250,000 over five years.
“To do this monumental task various fundraising efforts were shared by the groups involved,” said Ellis.
To date there have been two elimination draw/dances, a tribute concert hosted by the Drayton Festival Theatre, ball hockey tournaments, two dinner and dance evenings, and a portion of profit from the Kinsmen Farm Show.
“Next was the need for assistance in the form of donations from the corporate sector,” said Ellis.
The call for help was answered by the following companies, individuals and organizations, which retained naming rights for various parts of the complex, as well as recognition on the donor wall at the arena entrance:
– Farm Credit Canada and The Murray Group ($25,000 each);
– Cherrey Bus Lines ($15,000);
– Moorefield Excavating and Peel and Maryborough Insurance ($10,000 each);
– The Olliff family ($8,000);
– The Drayton and District Figure Skating Club ($7,500);
– Minor hockey, Jeff Duimering Carpentry, Avon Lee Homes, John and Barb Green, and Nieuwland Feed and Supply ($5,000 each);
– Pit King ($3,000); and
– Dave Campbell Insurance ($1,500).
The donors also helped “sweeten the pot” with numerous contributions during the fundraising blitz that were also noted on the donor board, Ellis explained.
“The mandate of MAX is to realize our commitment to [the township’s] municipal debt as well as provide our families the benefits of the improved facility,” Ellis reiterated.
“At this time the MAX committee still feel confident that the commitment will be realized. Donations to the project are still being accepted, [and there will be] more fundraising events in the near future.”
Those include the ball hockey tournament at the arena, which regularly welcomes over 100 young athletes over a three day period.
The MAX committee is also busy planning another dinner and theatre production entitled Legends of Rock and Roll, which will feature songs by Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis , Roy Orbison, Buddy Holly and Carl Perkins.
The production will be performed by the professional cast of Good Rockin’ Tonight and the event will be held at the PMD Arena on May 12.
Tickets will be available from MAX committee members and at designated locations (to be announced shortly).
