Even though they didn’t win the title of Kraft Hockeyville in 2020, the province stepped up and recognized that the Pense Memorial Rink was worthy of obtaining the finances necessary to refurbish the facility.  

It has been a long winding road for the community to reach their fundraising goal and they’re still working hard to meet it. Graeme Crosbie is the Treasurer for the Pense Memorial Rink Board.

“It's been a busy three years for the rink board... Well, actually even before I joined the board, we had gotten a quote to replace the brine piping system in the rink there and it was estimated to cost $300,000.”  

Through donations from businesses and individuals along with government and private grants, the group was able to meet their initial goal; however, the problem was that the cost of everything had gone up since the board received a quote for the renovations.  

“Despite all our success and fundraising and everything else that we've done, we're still just under $200,000 short of paying for the project in full. So, we're still fundraising and we still got a lot planned for the next little while to make sure that everything gets done and paid for,” Crosbie said.  

The grant application also requested funds to replace the piping system in the curling rink as those were salvaged from the original hockey rink that burned down in 1989 and has been used ever since. 

A candid shot of crews on-site for "demo day". (Photo courtesy of Graeme Crosbie)

 “When we submitted the grant, we thought we'd go big or go home. So, we applied not just to get the piping done, but to put a concrete pad in over top of the new pipes as well,” explained Crosbie. 

The concrete will allow the rink to be utilized year-round and reduces other potential problems. The application also requested funds to replace the boards and glass. 

The total cost of the project is now $1.2 million, Crosbie estimates about $200,000 still needs to be raised in order to complete the work.  

The board recently wrapped up their Chase the Ace fundraiser, which brought in approximately 20 thousand dollars this year alone. Oilseeds for Community Needs is another fundraiser the board has hosted as part of their fundraising efforts, which is an agriculture-related project.  

“And the big one that we're just looking at right now would be a sports dinner. The first fundraiser we did for all of this was in November 2019. We did an inaugural sports dinner in the town hall here. And that was great. It was hugely successful. We made 51 grand that night,” Crosbie said.  

 “We had planned to do it again. Obviously, COVID got in the way. So, we haven't done it since, but the plan is to do it again next April sometime, date to be determined. Because (we) will have concrete in the rink at that point, because the work started already we were hoping to move it (the event) into the rink and maybe even triple the budgets and the attendance and the sponsorships and everything that comes with it.” 

Depending on the weather, shovels should be in the ground very soon according to Crosbie. Board and community members recently gathered to put in some sweat equity, save money on the project and demolish the inside of the building.  

“It's surreal. What really hit was when we went in there on Sunday to start the tear down the boards and the glass and the piping. All of it was installed and built by the original volunteers and the Pense community that built this thing from the ground up 30 years ago when the fire burned down the old rink,” said Crosbie. 

“In a way, you're kind of picking away at some of their life's work, you know? But it's all for the best for the rink. 'cause it'll just extend the longevity of the facility and save on power costs every year and make the facility usable year-round...the reality set in last Sunday for sure.” 

To follow along on the construction, fundraisers and everything in between, you’re encouraged to follow them on Facebook.  

Click the video below to watch Discover Moose Jaw's Teagan Witko catch up with Graeme Crosbie: