Train Collides with Semi SEE PAGE 14
Your LOCAL Media since 1918! Volume 105 Issue 4
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Wednesday, September 21, 2022 s
End in sight for Tofield arena concrete replacement project Jana Semeniuk Staff Reporter
A huge project replacing the concrete in the Tofield Arena is almost complete after nearly six months of work. Reward Construction was awarded the bid and began the work in April. “The finish line is going to be exciting for all of us,” said AG Society President Dave Berrecloth. “If all goes well, we're hoping to actually have the ice in by the end of this month.” The AG Society, which runs the arena, had the concrete examined by engineers last spring when cracks began to creep up. Berrecloth said the process turned up some amazing news about their concrete flooring which was installed in 1972. “(We) found out that actually, the cement that was poured in these years for these facilities around Alberta, normally only lasted 40 years. So, we were very fortunate in order to be able to get the 50 years of life out of it,” he said. Berrecloth, who was born and raised in Tofield, added that he remembers when the arena was first built.
“I was on the ice in 1972 when the arena was built when I was a sevenyear-old child, so (I’ve been here) right from the beginning,” he said. Meanwhile, Berrecloth said changes in engineering and technology over the years meant more work had to be done in the arena than simply replacing the concrete. Approximately five and a half feet of material had to be removed to build up, not only the base, but also other requirements for cooling and heating lines. He said funding for the $1.2 million project came through grant applications and fundraising. Personal and business donations added to the fundraising efforts and on their own totalled $157,000. Berrecloth said he was touched to see so much support from the community. “It was outstanding just to see that 50 years later, we still have a community that is strong and vibrant and still able to deliver the actual vision of the original executive and the AG society,” he said. “What it's actually meant to be able to bring individuals into a gathering spot to just enjoy one another and events (with
Dean Mushanski, Tofield operations employee, stands near the new bifold zamboni door that replaced an overhead one as part of upgrades that have been ongoing for nearly six months at the Tofield Arena. JANA SEMENIUK PHOTO
the) community.” Berrecloth said user groups who are looking forward to the opening of the upgraded arena include figure skating, minor hockey, seniors’ teams, as well as skating from the local schools. “Just from conversation the 17th of this month they were hoping to start their season,” said Berrecloth of the local user groups. “So unfortunately, we will have a
FALL SECTION NEXT WEEK!
delay for the users of when they normally go on the ice.” Berrecloth added that one of the fundraisers that was very successful was the ‘Take A Year Off’ lottery where $52,000 was given away, $1,000 per week for a year, which made $30,000. “We saw individuals that didn't want to do the lottery, but they wanted to actually be able to donate to the cause. And not
only the community families, but also families that moved out of the community, and wanted to donate because of what they got out of the facility and the enjoyment of their family and, and friends,” he said. “So there was some pretty nice stories and it just makes you feel good about how important community is and the things we have within our community to enjoy.”
Ag Soc. President Dave Berrecloth
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