The Mapleton Arena eXpansion (MAX) committee said thank-you on Saturday to a large number of donors who made major renovations possible at the PMD Arena.
The committee unveiled its wall of donors, which includes five categories:
– platinum for those who donated and purchased naming rights to rooms, foyers and even the ice-making machine;
– diamond for donors of over $1,000;
– gold for $500;
– silver for $250; and
– bronze for $100.
Committee member and emcee Dan McIntyre said the committee appreciates all the work and donations that went into the project.
Mapleton Mayor Bruce Whale said all of council and staff appreciate the work of the committee.
He added it is easy for a council to decide to support such a project when it knows the community will rally behind the fundraising committee and get the job done.
“A lot of us remember when the original arena was built,” Whale said, adding, “This is going a bit farther again.”
He thanked the committee and said, “May we enjoy these facilities for many years to come.”
MAX committee chairman Dale Franklin remembered why the group was formed. She said she was appalled at the lack of facilities for girls who wanted to play hockey and were forced to dress in dank, dark small rooms.
She talked with councillor Jim Curry and they agreed there was “a much-needed upgrade to our facility.”
The committee’s pledge was to raise $250,000 over five years to pay its share of the work. To date, after only 3.5 years, the committee has raised $200,000 and has only $50,000 to go.
Franklin noted there is a fundraising effort that will start in December and, with the local Kinsmen Club, there will be another major fundraiser starting in the spring.
