Saskatchewan’s Community Rink Affordability Grant (CRAG) Program has had some uptick in the midwest region.
The funding which returned in 2020-21 helps offset the costs of operating indoor skating and curling rinks, according to government administrators.
Some Border City ice surfaces and regional rinks have benefitted including:
- Lloydminster Golf & Curling Centre
- Lloydminster Centennial Civic Centre
- Town of Cut Knife – 1 surface
- Hillmond Skating Rink (as submitted by R.M. of Britannia – Alan Parkin) – 1 surface
- Village of Paradise Hill (Skating & Curling) – 2 surfaces
- Town of Lashburn (Skating) – 1 surface
- Lashburn Curling Club – 1 surface
- Town of Marshall (Skating) – 1 surface
- Town of Macklin – 2 surfaces
- Town of Maidstone (Skating & Curling) – 2 surfaces
- Village of Marsden (Skating) – 1 surface
- Village of Neilburg (Skating & Curling) – 2 surfaces
- Onion Lake Cree Nation (skating) – 1 surface
- Village of Paynton – 1 surface
- Town of St. Walburg – 2 surfaces
- Village of Waseca (Skating) – 1 surface
- Town of Turtleford – 1 surface
- Town of Unity – 2 surfaces
Each community received $2500 per ice surface for general operating costs, according to the release documents.
Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Laura Ross shares about the community response.
“The $1.7 million allocated to the grant program is an important investment in community ice surfaces and curling rinks, which are important hubs for so many villages, towns, cities and First Nations communities across Saskatchewan. We hear some tremendous feedback from local volunteers and users about how the investment helps keep activities affordable and community well-being strong.”
Across Saskatchewan 594 ice surfaces received funding, comprising 377 skating rinks and 217 curling rinks.