'Raise the Rink,' a success and 'dream come true'

On April 6^th, the Blackfalds Multiplex hosted what will now be its first annual ‘Raise the Rink,’ a night of fun, games, drinks, and dancing for hockey parents who have finished their season. However, for ‘Raise the Rink,’ the Multiplex didn’t look much like an arena anymore but rather a cool party venue.

The event was organized in an effort to raise funds for the dual ice surface that has been planned for the Blackfalds Multiplex.

This year’s ‘Raise the Rink,’ was a great success raising just over 40,000 dollars according to Sandra Congdon, fundraiser coordinator for the Dual Ice Development Society.

In addition to games, and raffles the event boasted the attendance of four-time gold medalist Hayley Wickenheiser.

“She was amazing. It was nice because she touched on the anniversary of the Humboldt Broncos accident, on her perspective as a parent, as a hockey player, as a non-hockey player, and as an Olympic athlete and the pressures that she faces there. It was fantastic.”

On top of an already stellar successful night, a couple of people had a very fortunate meet-up with Wickenheiser.

“We had some people who had their dreams come true. A lady had named her daughter after Hayley so her daughter got to meet Hayley Wickenheiser.”

Down the road, we can expect more events hosted by DIDS because the event was such a success that they plan to not only host it annually but also host other events such as a possible New Years Party.

The money that the dual ice development society has been raising is to provide the extras to the arena that personalize the facility for its users.

“It will be going for all of the extras in the arena: water bottle stations and dressing rooms all the extras that the town doesn’t want to pay for like streaming live hockey games, and stuff like that,” said Congdon.

Personalizing the classic hometown hockey rink has been a major component in its development. The Dual Ice Society, architects, and council of Blackfalds hosted an open house for the general public to submit their ideas on the evening of April 17^th.

“It’s for residents and people who are in support of it and interested in it to come get their questions answered and put in their input of what they would like to see.”

With all this hard work in mind, the Blackfalds Multiplex is sure to mean a lot to players, and visitors using it and become its' own ‘dream come true.’

To donate or learn more about the Dual Ice Development Society, click here.