Spectra Grand Opening

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Grand Opening Commemorative Program September 16, 2011

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It’s been a great experience!

Over the past five years we have had challenges, frustrations, and tense moments and at times exciting and fulfilling milestones. Overall this has been a very rewarding opportunity for me and I am sure our committee.

First of all I would like to thank my wife Denise for putting up with the countless meetings and phone calls and also Mayor St. Onge and Council for entrusting this position to me and for their unwavering support. I would also like to thank the spouses and families of our committee members for their patience and support.

I also appreciate the goodwill, understanding and support of our building committee, without whose efforts and commitments to this project we would not have had the success that we have enjoyed.

This started out in 2005 with Jim Puffalt, City Manager coming forward with our 20 year plan including Spectra Place. From our early meetings where Ray Frehlick and Barry Bridges put us on the right track with the suggestion of a construction manager, to the untold meetings, phone calls and e-mails between Jim, Kim, Judy and the committee and myself up to today, we can look back on Spectra Place as a true legacy to our community.

It has been a great journey.

Last but not least, we could not have achieved this impressive achievement without the full support of our community from the fundraising suppers — thanks Ron and his supper committee — to the individuals who gave what they could afford. Thank you! Where else in a community of our size could you raise over $ 8 million?

I would be remiss if I did not also thank our provincial counterparts who brought $ 8 million to the table! Thank you Doreen. As well our Federal Government, who came through with $5 million. Thank you Ed. We simply could not have had the building we have without this support.

I would also be remiss if I didn’t mention our Construction Manager Graham Construction.

Thank you Chad and Colin. As well, as our Architect Number 10/BEMP Architects. Thank you Kirk and Joanne.

In closing I would like to thank everyone involved for their support, suggestions and guidance. This truly is a community project, one that we can be proud of for generations to come.

Thanks you all and God bless Building Committee Chairman, Roy Ludwig

Grand Opening Agenda September 16, 2011 • 1:00 - 4:30 pm 1:00 - 1:15 pm Official Ribbon Cutting Jim Puffalt, Master of Ceremonies 1:15 - 1:30 pm Introduction and Comments from attending dignitaries 1:30 - 4:00 pm Free Public Skating & Free Refreshments to All in Forecourt All schools are invited to attend.

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It’s finally here. After years of planning and construction Spectra Place is now open. We would like to take this opportunity to welcome everyone to our new facility. We are very proud of this multi-use facility and I am looking forward to the first Bruin game. I would like to thank everyone involved in the building of Spectra Place for going above and beyond to create the great place that it is. This is far more than just an arena as shown by the success of the Cochrane Concert and the Business Excellence Awards. We look forward to many more events in the future.

Mayor Gary St. Onge Grand Opening of Spectra Place in Estevan On behalf of the Government of Saskatchewan, I am pleased to welcome you to the Grand Opening of Estevan’s beautiful new civic arena, Spectra Place.

Spectra Place will be a wonderful showcase for Estevan and area, which has seen an unprecedented economic expansion and now has an arena to match its lofty ambitions. I am sure that this new facility will set the stage for continued growth and prosperity. It is a testament to a community pulling together to make a dream a reality.

I applaud everyone who has been involved in making the Spectra Place a success story. Congratulations on this significant achievement for Estevan.

Premier Brad Wall Since the inception of the New Events Centre project, it has been my privilege to see the out-pouring of generosity and support from the residents and businesses of Estevan and surrounding area.

With each dollar that came in, I was encouraged to see others share the same vision for our community that the members of the New Events Centre Committee have had for years.

First and foremost, my profound thanks goes to our sponsors and the citizens of Estevan and surrounding area. Thank you for your incredible support of this project. I hope you feel proud when you see Spectra Place, knowing that without you it would not be possible.

I would also like to thank Committee Chair, Roy Ludwig and City Manager, Jim Puffalt for their leadership and Judy Pilloud, City of Estevan Executive Assistant for her tireless efforts in keeping all of the data straight and just keeping us organized!

Finally, thank you to the members of the Building Committee and the Fund-raising Committee. We did it! Together, as a team, we have been able to accomplish what at times seemed impossible. You should all be very proud of Spectra Place.

Fundraising Chair, Kim Anderson

Congratulations Spectra Place!

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By Chad Saxon of The Mercury One of these years I’ll learn to shut my mouth.

It was February 27, 2006 when the members of Estevan city council at the time made the long-awaited decision to replace the Civic Auditorium. Two days later, in the March 1 edition, former Mercury editor Jonas Weinrauch chronicled the decision, noting the City was looking to build a $6 million facility and that $1 million of that total would have to come from the community. ⇢

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⇠ Seven days later, in the next edition of The Mercury, I wrote a column congratulating council on its decision to replace the Aud but also imploring them to make sure they get it right. Little did I know what writing that column would mean for the next five years of my life.

It wasn’t long after writing that column that I had more than a few people say “you want them to get it right, maybe you should put your name in to be on the committee.” Now I’m not arrogant enough to think that my presence was going to ensure the project was done right, but I did think

it would be interesting to be part of seeing what goes into the construction of a new arena.

So it was a couple months later that the first meeting of what would be known as the New Arena Construction Committee was held.

In the first of many things the City would do right, they invited pretty much any group that would have anything to do with the arena from Estevan Minor Hockey to the Chamber of Commerce. Although some groups didn’t take advantage of the opportunity presented ⇢

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⇠ to them, there was a good cross section of user groups and City employees at the first meeting. There were also a handful of members at large including me.

That first gathering was a great one.

After the usual intros, Chairman Roy Ludwig went around the room and asked everybody in attendance what they would like to see in the arena.

In many respects that first session set the stage for the entire project as a number of the suggestions and ideas presented would eventually find their way into Spectra Place.

With that solid foundation under the committee they were able to get to work.

As the months went by tours of other facilities were carried out, designs were presented and agreed upon and the fundraising work began.

In many respects the project went unbelievably well. There were no major controversies like the one that cast a shadow over Moose Jaw’s new arena and the community, realizing how badly a new rink was

needed in Estevan, threw their full support behind our committee.

However, there were some tense moments. As we all sat and waited to learn if Estevan would receive money from the Building Canada Fund, a worldwide run on steel and construction materials caused the price of the arena to spike. There were also questions about water at the construction site and other assorted concerns, but to the credit of those who had to make the tough decisions, there was never any question about whether or not to move forward.

The pivotal moment came on May 2, when it was finally announced that Estevan would be eligible for money under the Building Canada Fund. In a hastily arranged press conference at City Hall on a beautiful Saturday morning, MP Ed Komarnicki and MLA Doreen Eagles announced Estevan would receive $10.2 million in funding towards the arena.

That announcement was the green light everyone had been waiting for. Just two weeks later, on May 15, the ⇢

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⇠ official sod-turning ceremony was held and, for all intents and purposes, we were off to the races.

I can’t speak for others, but I found the next couple of years the most frustrating part of being in the committee. Not for any negative reason, I just wanted the rink to be done. And having the construction out in the open behind the leisure centre was one big tease.

As the project moved along we were able to tour the construction site and see the progress. It may have been early on but you could get the sense that Spectra Place was going to be something special. But that wait was bloody excruciating.

And then … it happened. After months of waiting, the first event was held in Spectra Place — the fifth and final arena fundraising dinner. That was followed shortly afterwards by the first concert which featured Tom Cochrane and Kim Mitchell.

Although the rink wasn’t completely finished, it drew rave reviews and the

sound for the concert was amazing.

It blows my mind to think it was actually 2006 when the committee had its first meeting. There have been a lot of ups and downs in the five years since but it was all worth it. I’m obviously biased but I think Estevan now has a world-class facility that should be a source of pride for decades to come.

There are many people who deserve so much praise for their efforts in making it happen. I won’t go into a list out of fear of missing somebody and besides that, I think the true beauty of how this project came together is that it was a community effort. Estevan residents sometimes get a bad rap for being apathetic and not caring about the community. If anyone tries to spew that garbage, march them down to Spectra Place and show them what happens when this city and region truly get behind something.

As for me, like I said, one of these years I’ll learn to shut my mouth. I’m just glad this wasn’t one of those times.

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This is now, that was then

By Norm Park of The Mercury Not gone, not forgotten.

Ye Olde Civic Auditorium will live on, at least for a few more years, serving the community in a variety of ways.

The facility, now approaching its 55th year, was built through a huge community effort, much like how Spectra Place has come into service.

But it’s served us so well, it has been given a reprieve from the wrecker’s ball, and in fact, will probably see a lot of action, although on a secondary scale now as the city’s second-largest public facility.

Keep in mind that when the Auditorium was built, Estevan had just recently been declared an official city, having surpassed the mandatory population base of 5,000 people that allowed civic officials to apply for that status.

Talk of a new arena to replace the ancient structure on the other side of the tracks escalated in the early part of 1957 when rumours of the city becoming the new home of ⇢

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⇠ an existing Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League team heated up.

To put things in perspective and context, Estevan was swirling in a vortex of “can do” spirit, just like it is today. The oilpatch boom that had begun a few years earlier was running rampant. Housing was scarce, schools were overcrowded, yet welcoming even more students. School enrolment numbers had climbed from 2,194 in 1956 to 2,287 at the start of the school year in 1957. The local school board was worried because there was a teacher shortage across the province and Estevan was going to be about six teachers shy of a full complement the next year if something wasn’t done soon.

SaskPower was taking options on nearby coal supplies to ensure they would have plenty of fuel to fire a proposed major power generating plant that had been announced and was under construction on the south side of the city.

The very busy Highway 39 was being paved between Estevan and Macoun to aid the flow of traffic and the pressure was

on the Highways Department to put some blacktop down between Estevan and North Portal as well.

The rumour mill had sped up the rather leisurely planning and construction schedule for the new arena, since the hint had been dropped at an SJHL luncheon meeting in Flin Flon that Roderick (Scotty) Munro was somewhat interested in finding a new home for his SJHL franchise, the Humboldt-Melfort Indians. But they would need a good rink to play in if they were expected to move here. Rosetown had also put a bid in for the team, so some quick moves had to be made.

The Estevan branch of the Royal Canadian Legion kicked off the formal fundraising campaign for the new arena with a $1,000 donation. It was reported in The Mercury at the time that $11,000 had already been spent on construction contractors.The new roof trusses were going to cost $24,000 and the steel required for the new building would come with a $15,000 cost.

By July of 1957, the roof was ready to go up on the new Auditorium. That ⇢

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⇠consisted of 13 trusses weighing between seven and eight tons each. They were installed in two days by McLean Construction using 12 men and an 80 foot crane. The job was carried out under the direction of the main contractor F.W. Graham Construction.

By this time it had been confirmed, the Humboldt-Melfort junior hockey team was being transferred to Estevan and the Name the Team contest was won by C.H. Hook of Toronto with the simple suggestion that the team should be named the Bruins, just like their NHL counterparts since the Estevan franchise would be directly linked to the NHL team.

By the way, the other name suggestions that received careful consideration by the judges included Gushers, Oilers, Cubs, Boomers, Wildcats and Soo-Liners.

The Bruins opened their training camp October 3 and team captain Dick Meisner was the first official skater on the new au-

ditorium ice surface. He opened the door and pushed off onto the surface at 9:01 a.m.

According to the official report in The Mercury. He was soon followed by the rest of his teammates after he had inscribed a fine Figure 8 on the surface around centre ice.

The official opening ceremonies on October 24 were diminished significantly when some very foul weather moved in to wreck the planned events. The laying of the arena cornerstone was postponed for another day (October 31). But the first hockey game went on without a hitch with the Memorial Cup champion Flin Flon Bombers in Saskatchewan’s newest city to take on the hometown Bruins.

And the rest is history ... well, not quite.

For more on how the roof was paid for see page 32.

The final construction bill by the way, came in at $266,044.47.

Money well spent, we suggest.

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Check out: www.estevanmercury.ca 11

Community support a critical part of fundraising success Of the many great stories that are part of the Spectra Place project, there is perhaps none more impressive, and important, than the way the community banded together to raise funds for the new arena.

Individuals and businesses from throughout Estevan and southeast Saskatchewan showed their legendary generosity by contributing over $8 million towards the cost of the $22 million events centre, a sum that is truly mind-boggling when one considers communities much larger than Estevan have had trouble raising half as much.

Kim Anderson, who was chairman of the fundraising committee, said their focus when it came to raising money was to offer

donors value for their dollar. To accomplish that, they sold the naming rights to practically everything in Spectra Place from title sponsorship of the entire arena, to the individual seats to, literally, a pair of toilets.

That strategy proved to be a major success. In less than a year, the fundraising committee raised the $6 million that Estevan City council required before construction would be allowed to move forward and are currently at $8.14 million.

Anderson said he isn’t surprised the fundraising was such a runaway success.

He noted the Estevan area is well known for its generosity and that much of the leg work was done in 2008 when the price of oil was at an all-time high. ⇢

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⇠ “The timing was perfect,” Anderson said. “The oilfield business was booming and people were giving. If a phone call was made, it was ‘sure, what can I do.’”

Although the fundraising was already off to a great start, Anderson said the decision by Spectra Credit Union to purchase the naming rights to the arena was a major step forward and also set the tone for other businesses and individuals in the community.

“Everybody really jumped on it and really felt it was something needed and they wanted to do everything possible to get it done. I think that was a big reason why companies like Spectra came to us.”

With the momentum gained from the Spectra announcement, the committee went to work to hit the $6 million mark. Anderson said aside from the obvious generosity of the public, the make up of the committee was a big reason for their success as his fellow mem-

bers — Ambrose Hengen, Jeff Pierson, Mike LaCoste and Doug Trapp, each had connections to various segments of the business community and were able to tap into them.

“Every committee member had a different area that they would work on,” he said. “The whole thing just kind of networked everybody. The committee we had were really good at having the contacts and the people knowledge in the right places.”

Anderson said another aspect of the fundraising that continues to stand out for him was how diverse the list of contributors was. Although the business community is responsible for the lion’s share of the $8.14 million many individuals also stepped up to buy seats and other items “One family bought seats for every member of their family. They got up to 28 seats for just one family only.”

A permanent reminder of the community’s generosity has been erected in

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Canadian rockers Tom Cochrane (above) and Kim Mitchell provided the entertainment for Spectra Place’s first concert on April 15.

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Many great features in Spectra Place As anyone who has had the chance to walk through Spectra Place can attest to, the facility is certain to be among the most impressive arenas in the country. But not only is Spectra Place pleasing to the eye, it also houses a raft of technology and interesting features.

Following the mantra do it right and do it once that guided the course of the project, the Spectra Place committee spared no expense in outfitting the facility with the type of technology that will ensure an excellent viewing experience whether it be for a hockey game or concert.

Obviously the feature that immediately catches the eye of anyone who enters the arena is the four-sided video scoreboard

that hangs over centre ice. Along with the expansive lobby, the score clock was designed to be one of the highlights of Spectra Place.

The top portion of the clock features all the usual aspects one expects to see on a clock — score, time, shots and penalties — while the lower part is home to the four video screens.

Each high definition screen is five feet tall by eight feet wide and as early tests have shown provide a TV-like viewing experience.

The computer system that will run the clock is equally impressive. The four screens will be operated by the Tricaster 300 software system that will provide a

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⇠ to provide slow motion and instant replays of any sporting events that take place in the facility.

Among the other highlights and notable features of Spectra Place are: • One feature that has already proven popular is the rubberized walking track which encircles the main floor of the area.

The track is ideal for walkers as the impact on the body is much less than it would be on harder surfaces such as cement or pavement.

In terms of length, one lap of the track is 216-metres. It would take 4.6 laps to equal one kilometre and 7.5 laps to equal one mile.

• After years of straining to hear the public address announcer and dealing with the shoddy sound system in the Civic Auditorium, fans will be happy to hear Spectra Place comes equipped with a state of the art sound system which will significantly enhance the overall experience. Along with dozens of speakers in the main arena area, there are also speakers in every dressing room and other areas such as the Estevan

Bruins complex.

• To add to the overall sound quality, there have been hundreds of sound baffles installed in the Spectra Place ceiling. The baffles prevent noise from echoing throughout the building which is often an issue for event centres.

• There are eight public dressing rooms in Spectra Place, all of which can easily hold a team with up to 20 skaters.

Each room is essentially self-contained with full shower and bathroom facilities.

Also, to accommodate the space required by junior teams, there is a doorway linking the two middle dressing rooms on each side of the arena. The doorway will allow both the players and coaching/training staff to have their own areas during games.

• Because Spectra Place is being billed as a true events centre, a flooring system that can cover the ice during concerts or other events was purchased. Much like larger, multi-use, venues, the City could conceivably host a concert on a Friday night and then turn around and hold a

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⇠ eyes, Spectra Place has a unique system to hold the glass in place. Created by a company in Ontario, the system eliminates the lip on the dasher boards as the glass is almost flush with the edge of the boards.

The system improves player safety on a couple of levels as there is no edge on the dasher boards. Also, the system allows for much more give in the glass which will hopefully prevent injuries such as concussions.

• Spectra Place is home to 24 pri-

vate suites. Part of the fundraising efforts, the suites were immensely popular as they sold out in just days and have a lengthy waiting list.

• There are two press boxes — one on each side — on the upper level of Spectra Place.

• One of the areas sure to be popular with fans is the Crescent Point Lounge which is located at the west end of Spectra Place on the upper concourse. Not only can fans purchase a refreshment, the view from the lounge might be the The walking track that encircles the concourse has proven to be very popular.

There are eight dressing rooms in Spectra Place.

Congratulations on your grand opening Spectra Place!

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Off the Top Rollover claims one life Estevan RCMP are continuing their investigation into a single vehicle rollover near Estevan last Friday afternoon which claimed the life of a 17-year-old Estevan woman.

The sport utility vehicle in which the woman was a passenger was westbound on a gravel road, known as the Turnbull grid, about five kilometres east of the city when the operator of the vehicle lost control and the vehicle rolled. There were three occupants in the vehicle.

The teenaged female driver was taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Estevan for treatment of undetermined injuries while a second passenger was not injured in the incident.

The cause of the accident is still being sought, said RCMP media relations spokeswoman Heather Russell.

“Collision analysts are still going over the vehicle to determine certain things which would include whether seat belts were being used and whether there were any mechanical malfunctions,” said Russell.

Road conditions on the gravel road were normal at the time of the accident which was about 3:15.

The name of the deceased has been withheld at the request of the family.

Four Day Forecast

First step taken to replace auditorium

By JONAS WEINRAUCH of The Mercury A long road leading to a new hockey arena/convention centre was started Monday.

City council brought forward a proposal showing the project could start in 2010, and establishing a committee to start the process of looking at replacing the aging Civic Auditorium.

Council agreed to the terms of reference for the new committee to get the ball rolling to replace the auditorium, which was constructed in 1957.

Coun. Roy Ludwig was the first member appointed to the committee. Others could come from the RM of Estevan council, leisure services advisory board, Cornerstone School Division, Bruins Hockey Club, Estevan Minor Hockey, Estevan Skating Club, Estevan Chamber of Commerce, building construction industry, two members-at-large, city manager and leisure services manager.

The committee would have the power to make recommendations to council for the design of the arena/convention centre, fundraising and any other issues pertaining to the replacement of the auditorium.

Any decision of the committee is not binding upon the City until it is approved by a separate resolution of council.

“It’s the first step in a long process,” said city manager Jim Puffalt. “To construct a facility of this type you are talking at least

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five years ... probably seven years by the time everything is completed.

“We’re also talking about an extensive fund-raising campaign, and about government grants. At this point in time, we don’t know if programs will be extended beyond 2010.

“There’s a lot of unknowns, but what we do know is the Civic Auditorium is not going to last forever, and we have to start work on replacing it.”

The City is looking at a $6 million facility being constructed north of the Lignite Miners Centre and west of the leisure centre. The

Lignite Miners Arena

sources of funds include $1 million from local fund-raising, $1.5 million in capital grants and $3.5 million from long-term borrowing.

Council agreed the local funds must be in place before the first shovel of dirt is turned.

Earlier this year, the provin-

cial government announced the community share program with the City to receive $350,000.

Council has committed $50,000 of this grant towards the project.

Should the project proceed in 2010, the following must occur: * $1 million raised locally.

Continued on Page A2

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By Norm Park forward this fall,” of The Mercury said Tant. region and the A local fundrais people,” said Tant, ing committee, headed by Later this fall the businessman Jim pointing out that Sun Country Sun Country Health Region’s is currently operating board of directors Pratt, has been struck to get with two major the and administration project underwa will y. So far the group hospitals serving the area as district more of their attention be able to turn has received hospitals with neither between $20,000 to the one being able plan to $30,000 in and replace the Estevan donations to complete to increase services to be designate Regional Nursing Home with a d a feasibility and new facility. needs-based study as a regional acute care facility.

The leading to a functiona Right extensive study ght now their heir hands will be able to help l design for the ds are fu ffull nursing home with the planning the board and administration that is expected and t th to be with that are needed to build decisions that added to the St. Joseph’s reality while providin deal replacement ffa Hospital in fa- the future. g efSunny cilities for health centres Àcient service to acute care patients in Radville Radvilllle, High 21 Low and their families.

5 Kipling and Redvers.

It will replace the current strucPOP 0% ture on Wellock “That’s keeping Tant said the need Road that was built pretttty in the busy these days,” us all pretty scanner in Sun Country for a CT mid 1960s and said Cal Tan was added to Tant, ntt, in the 1970s. chief executive ofÀ mented, but exactly is well docufÀcer for the health where it should healtthh region, from his be located is still Funds amountin Weyburn ofÀ up for debate. g to a few milfÀce last lasst lion dollars week.

“Where would will be required people like to to meet the local Ànancial “We want to go to obligations for the go to get the service? That’s allll new facility. one three of these facilities tenders for all question that has The this summer, to be answered. r, ment provides provincial govern- We have get the bids in Careers ............. to deal with the and start work,” funds to cover 65 ........ C10 - 12 realities,” hee per said Tant. added, referring Church Directo to the fact that pro- cent of the total cost while the ry ............... C7 local vincial funding for fundraising is expected ClassiÀÀeds.............

In the meantim these to cover the e, he said the ....... C4 - 8 centres was included replacement remaining 35 Weybur Obituaries ............. n per General cent. in this year’s Hospital was ...............C8 provincial budget. pleased to learn Tant also said that Editorial ............. that after two years, by this fall, ................. A4 the Once more Sun Country board is complete obstectri that process is Energy ............. expecting nity under- to hire cal/materway, it could be ................... B6 a consultant to help services will be time to focus on Business............. returning to that them dethe planning that velop a functiona .................B5 could lead to the l program for acute facility later this year. Nursing, mediProfessional Directo construction of a ry .......C5 new nursing home care services in the region which cal and support staff will have Service Directo to be The students and staff in Estevan and w would focus on re-acquainted with ry ............. an application of Sacred Heart the program but Jaelyn Carlisl for oof Weyburn the two major centres it was Sports .......................... ...C6 provincial funds.

School, includi e, stepped up a positive sign that and Estevan. ng in a big way . B1 - 4 Stroke Found for the Heart ation Thursd “The ERNH plans and physician shortage the nursing “The consultant and ay. The school could move will be asked s that led to the organization tto help determin raised $8,464 the through removal of e what’s best for for the place, have the service in the Àrst Sacred Heart has a long the Jump Rope for Heart event. now been addresse history of suppor tion as it has d. ting the Found raised $24,92 a9 during their Rope for Heart * THIS SPRING, last Àve Jump events.

Sunny High 15 Low 1 POP 0%

After almost three years of planning it was announced In sid ethe federal and provincial governments would be contributing $10.2 miley Ahoy Mate lion towards the construction NEY. of Spectra P YOUR MO Place. Shortly after a S ING, KEE THIS SPR % $ $ $ $ ground breaking ceremony was held and the project was under way.

Y TY SECURIT T ** DEPOSIT

editor@estevanm ercury.ca adsales@estevanm ercury.ca prepress@esteva nmercury.ca sports@estevanm ercury.ca classiÀeds@estevanme rcury.ca website: www.est evanmercury.ca

“A great day

What began five years ago as an item on the City of Estevan’s 20-year plan official ly became a reality Friday.

The sod turning There was some ceremo ny bending and for Estevan ’s twisting along new arena and the way to make events centre it work.” was held on the The first case Eagles , who of the H1N1 site of the new facility, signalinÁuenza, which ling the official Municipal Affairs along with is more start of what Minister Bill known as the Swine commonly is expecte Hutchi nson d to be an 18Flu, has been represe nted month found in the Sun constru provinc ction Country Health e, echoed Komarn the process .

Region. icki’s A number of sentime nts.

Sun Country conÀ vincial and federal local, pro“It’s awesom dignitaries, e day that the H1N1 rmed Tues- as well levels of governm when three as roughly 75 inÁ Estevan ent co-operdiagnosed in a teenager uenza was residen ate. I am pleased ts, were on hand who experito enced a mild case for part of a governm have been of the disease. The Friday’s event despite ent that made the cool teenager fully recovere tempera tures this happen ,” and brisk she said. and did not require d by April 28 However the poor wind.

“This hospitalization. (arena) weather “Cases have been did not dampen long time coming has been a reported in the enthusi . most Canadian huge debt owing There is a provinces and were asm of the many individ to expected here,” uals commu nity because the whole said Sun Country and groups who joined forces Health Region Medical they gave to bring this with the heart.”

Health Ofmuch-n eeded Àcer Dr. Shauna arena to the Energy Hudson. “This Friday’s event City. is a mild case, similar “It’s a tremend ed a present ation also includto many of the from Spectra cases identiÀed that will be here ous facility Credit in Canada.”

Union for the next who made a con“Sun Country Health 100 years,” said tributio n of $1 city manage r Region million to the will continue its Jim Puffalt, facility surveillance for who was the in 2007.

H1N1 Áu cases emcee of Friday’ and we continue Spectra CEO Shovel ready s ceremo ny. to Tim Schroh emphasize simple project for Esteva Puffalt said a n d Ta m i S steps n. The golden cott, the co-op- tevan Mayor Gary take to keep themselv people can eration spades were St. Onge; RM executi ve vice-pr S p e c t r a ’s of all three levels Minister Bill es healthy.” handled by, of Estevan Reeve esident , preHutchinson; left to right: of People are reminde govern ment and Marie Dukart MLA Doreen Es- sented St. Onge with d that hand the work of Ludwig and MP Ed ; Sask.

Eagles, Arena/ washing is the single Komarnicki.

Complex commi Municipal Affairs for $100,0 00 which a cheque most important such groups as the new arena He said when ttee chairman way to avoid getting was the commi ttee Roy first installm ent inÁ the idea of conof their $1 many other infection uenza, and new arena helped take the structin g a in helping Estevan million new arena from a mere dream s. contrib ution. secure the broache d he admitte was first final $10.2 million People with mild to a reality in a very short in flu-like d that with ing symptoms should so much work Canad a fundin Buildperiod of time. stay needing to be led g which avoid public places at home and done through to the green He also noted until they have out Estevan light of conthat with wasn’t recovered. They $13 million sure the project , he structio n was also at Friday’ can would ceremo ny. s spread of inÁuenza also stop the the federa in funding from get off the ground . by remembering l and provin to cover their mouth cial Komar nicki said “When this and nose with governm ents and roughly a lot of a tissue when they $7 started, I thought project first work went into million from cough securin g the local fundrai I’m not sure money If no tissue is available or sneeze. ing, the and credite d facility is almost s- we can do this,” said St. , cough or his govOnge, ernmen t’s sneeze into an paid who added relation ship with upper sleeve, not for, someth ing that is that the suppor unheard from the your hands. t provinc e as well of with projects as the support of the size and big both governm ents was a of commu nities magnitu de. factor in helping throug hout get off the ground the project southea st Saskatc “This is a success hewan . as mastory jor factors in that I don’t “When the relatio their success think nships “We saw the regiona . repeate d in North has been among governm ents work it’s port l supAmeric a,” rewardi for this project Puffalt said. ng.” . That goes a long Sourisway Among the local in getting politica Tim Schroh, CEO Moose Mount of Spectra Credit l ain suppor t,” Komar on hand for Friday’ official s MP Ed Komarnicki, Union and Tami nicki said. executive vice-presiden who, along “There Scott, t for was Mayor Gary s ceremony with Esteva n MLA was a lot of lobbyin g foundation manager, presen Spectra and its commu St. Onge. Eagles Doreen going nity on. The Onge (centre ted Estevan , played a major ) with a cheque Mayor Gary role among governm relatio nship to St. in the amoun represent the ents was good. t of $1 million Isolated Showers Credit Union’ over the next s pledge to the several years.

High 17 Low new complex 5

for new arena

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

68 SOURIS AVENU E N. ESTEVAN, SASK S4A 2M3 email:

(306)634-2654 (306)634-3934

Off the Top

as work set to

(GST included)

KENT WINS MODIFIED FEATUR

PAP Registrat ion No. 10769

THURSDAY

Senchuk

1903

E

said. “Your forward ,” Eagles efforts have your diligence and been tremendous.” cement Saturda y’s announ on a couple of hurdles to the was signiÀcant One of the Ànal in ’s With $13 million tion on Estevan fronts. construc other of start the two levels events centre has contributions from new arena and and roughly $6.97 Enterprise Reof government The Southeast e been cleared. provincial by the fundrais some substanc million raised The federal and tee, gion is taking on hoc commit ad Saturday ed the arena days as ing arm of the governments announc and form these million million in funding board of dithere is $19.97 will provide $10.2 fundhas they six-member interim that a project each — in region toward locked up for the tag of $20.6 rectors steers the ic — $5.1 million facility. regional econom an estimated price ing for the new new system of Mounta in s. million.

Souris- Moose said development practice and Estevan of that, Ludwig regiona l deicki Mack, Because Komarn Linda of MP Ed the taxpayers made the anator for Enthe impact on MLA Doreen Eagles at City Hall velopment co-ordin minimal. hewan, said a Estevan will be nouncement Saturday of the new terprise Saskatc to see how it will be elected members “We will have it permanent board e in front of but at this time city council and in the meantim all shakes out arena committee, in September but l taxpayer dolwere obviously ng of Allan King looks like minima supporters who a group consisti to come forward Scroh and Michel thrilled with the news. lars will have e,” of Carlyle, Tim absolutely, truly Estevan, Collette is absolutely awesom just is from which “This Cyrenne lor Roy Redvers, Ashley c,” said council said Ludwig. also Branigan from n of South- fantasti cement chairma hewan the announ is The Ludwig who DeKok of Saskatc “We tee can move Weyburn and Ken the new arena committee. means the commit east Tourism in st phase. Ludwig kinds of monn of the Southea to the construction the commitdidn’t expect these . We have Evans, chairma expected c Development ies to come forward ced said it was Regional Ecnomi Tuesday to go s hours, and acEagles announ moving steadily tee would meet worked countles MLA Doreen Association are to million from packages and that and Estevan te transition on this so for this receive $10.2 over the tender Ed Komarnicki toward the comple ic develop- tually years, centre would reaking would -Mountain MP I am just at a loss a date for groundb arena and events nent.

Souris Moose from small econom all-inclu- come to fruition, awesome.” new Estevan the compo larger just set. that to It’s be nities ay also for words. ment regions the t’s cement Saturd a Fund’s commu so there was an sectors which will “We’ll be crossing tenders.

Saturda y’s announ been a the Building Canad yet a done deal sive enterprise of work that MaryÀeld, the i’s on the al funding and what had and dotting the I know that Rob rt incredible amount put an end to have more provinci our arrs of g went into the Minister of State and Transpo behind the scenes Graham Construction and . wait for the membe was going on work and lobbyin a larger mandate to make g a chief long coming into town and the commubut he was happy and also the Western Canada a period of time chitect will be “They are recruitin the committee to Ànal decision who is for quite forward we full $10.2 right now and r and Gerry Ritz, , we this happen.” have been anxious from that point the city get the and who Ministe help nity to executive ofÀcer e’s provinc minister for. to Kelly Panteluk ed as soon on the facility Eagles said the our Saskatchewan a very long see construction million it had applied in will be talkingabout excavation.” that could be complet been on this $5.1 million is them Mack. of has on ction n said tion been 15,” Constru “Esteva have as May , Moose centres contribu it has not members begin. city had initially applied $2.9 million which Along with Estevan as have other events a long time and The “I expect the staff addition to the bringing I was time It will a funding anÀrst phase project but 2007 that. the in held ed after certain hewan. under in also announc a Jaw always been will be Àlled ,” for funding an- in Saskatc y. Moose eady proj- was contribu tion to Canada Fund but to be able to people I suppose “We want shovel-r nounce ment Saturda for their their overall of the Building pleased today be two or three $23.4 portion of the are shovel-ready late 2008. Howble $8 million.

Jaw will receive ects and these was rejected in nounce the federal she said. ly have remarka my sincere include s a new recent federal said Komarnicki. . They obvious “I want to offer Page A2 - project which rink and indoor ever in the most contribution,” a pretty projects ity support because they Continued on to the commu nities compo“The city made commun budget, a commu BCF which of congratulations and all that are arena, curling to the asking for $10.2 have raised signiÀcant amounts facility. nent was added gutsy move in late nity of Estevan project to move soccer worked with a focus on cities tell you that as for this placed a special million. We have provincially dollars. I can n it wasn’t involved population of s a afternoo ) with minister of (Friday as and towns number . y to make it happen. under 100,000 a lot of and federall Komarn icki said that the project Infrastructure, said a clear perspec four weeks to six had to be put into require another the disrupt local the work and 90 metres long tive as to why weeks which would 1962. It is about during another is so important.

Saskatchewan wide. through trafÀc structure itself and efÀciency and 8.5 metres members and crews are ists bridge is rebuilt the uction that Last week several Periods Constr Page A2 exports, Cloudy ex- peak season. dale, a Continued on 8 begin their work to properly withstand those heavy of Estevan ’s city council But Kirsten Leather ys and High 16 Low scheduled to of the Highwa regarding the term.” for on long oman frustrati POP 30% on the $2.3 million rebuild the spokesw pressed loads for under a dewas going to (overpass) of The bridge was fact that the work Highway 39 bridge east side of a good part of on the tour scenario for the CPR tracks before the crews next week. last summe r Isolated Showers Estevan of Highways to a close in Oc4 The Ministry drew the project High 14 Low informed city was completed POP 30% and Infrastructure tober. Work that removal of April that the last season includedsurface, concouncil in late the project was of asphalt phase existing second and the general concrete start May 11 crete barriers and scheduled to in the bridge trafÀc around corroded steel Scattered Flurries that a rerouting of a detour and concrete girdHigh 4 Low 2 the project by means of deck. The existing ened to accomPOP 40% that runs paralonto Escana Street would begin ers were strength , trafÀc, the steel modate heavier lel to the highway replaced in the and concrete were shortly after. ofÀcials now indi- bridge deck and a new drainage Ministry Cloudy periods tion crews installed.

-2 cate that the construc system has been High 11 Low is yet to be spring’s project The work that POP 20% will begin this focuses on the the sealing of conwith work that c done includes , waterproofbridge so trafÀ crete trafÀc barriers underside of the Ànal to use any detour ing the deck and applying a will not have s , which should the work proceed asphalt surface until May 20 if weather about four weeks, take on schedule. local motorThat will allow permitting. north t drivers to use TrafÀc will be detoured ists and transpor Avenue and east usual until after onto Kensington the overpass as .......... C9 - 11 it was last d. as Street, weeken Careers .............

Escana the May long ry ............... C7 of the proj- onto detour route has Church Directo “The importance summer and the and on Sunday ....... C4 - 8 as this 47-yearthe MS Walk d by Highways ClassiÀeds............. in a piventure into ect is very clear, of been upgrade odate ......... C8 - 9 theme for his was bedecked carries an average g Infrastructure to accomm bridge Obituaries ............. with the pirate old urt. His wagon went w A4 a theme as part c. They said the ................. centre’s foreco per day includin Logan Nielsen aged to adopt the heavy trafÀ at the leisure 6,200 vehicles Editorial ............. g at were encour signed for bringing goods ................... B9 afternoon, startin in als and teams uals area will be clearly ndividu n commercial trucks as individ Energy ............. province,” said rate ship theme fundra .................B5 ts. ng tour. ising ndraisi n in and out of the Business............. ucture motoris for the un six-span reinfun a Infrastr is the .......C5 and of ry bridge ys The Highwa in Professional Directo Elhard. “It is structure built ry ................C6 forced concrete Ministe r Wayne motorof Service Directo safety essential for the .............. B1 - 4

WEDNESDAY

CAPITAL SINCE

B1 Phone: Fax:

$10.2 million

Off the Top

DA’S SUNSHINE

E N. 68 SOURIS AVENU S4A 2M3 ESTEVAN, SASK email:

ercury.ca editor@estevanm ercury.ca adsales@estevanm nmercury.ca prepress@esteva ercury.ca sports@estevanm rcury.ca classiÀeds@estevanme evanmercury.ca website: www.est

ion No. 10769 PAP Registrat

SERVING CANA

AT CITY MEETIN G A3

SE ASE PURCHA PURCH ‡‡ ‡‡ FINANCING

for details.

enchuk.com om • E-mail: sales@s uk.com nchuk.c w.sench w ww • Website: www.se

Jump Rope, or Hoops, for Heart

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WISE BUYERS READ of Canada Dealerships.THE LEGAL COPY: *The Ford Five-0 Event (“Five-0”) During the Five-0 months, $0 down is in effect from May Event one or more payment, $0 due 1, 2009 to June 30, combinations of at signing, and $0 Ford vehicles. Offers $0 À rst month’s 2009 at participating security deposit payment, 0% APR vary by model and Ford will apply to the purchase Ànancing air tax, but exclude not all combinations purchase Ànance for up to 60 license, insurance, will apply. Offers or lease of select ability and may be PPSA, registration, are available to new 2009 and 2010 cancelled at any retail customers only. Offers include time without notice. administration fees and all applicable month’s payment required on the purchase freight Dealer may sell taxes. These offers or lease for less. valid from May 1, are subject to vehicle and Ànance or lease Limited time offers.

2009 of all new 2009 and availSome conditions 2010 Focus, Fusion, to June 30, 2009. First monthly 2010 Ford vehicles apply. ‡ $0 Àrst payment will be Mustang, Taurus, delivered on or before paid up to a maximum F-Super Duty. Off Escape, Ranger June 30, 2009. Off amount of $500/$750/$1,000 / Edge, Flex, Taurus er only er Off er is only available available to customers who X, Explorer 4Dr, per eligible 2009 Ànance or lease Explorer Sport Trac, on approved credit through Ford Credit.

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Congratulations

Congratulations C ongratulations on your

This facility will be such an asset Bob’s Electric Contracting Ltd. 81 Escana Street.

Estevan, Sask 634-9707

Phone: 482-3244 19

Once the ground was officially broken, excavation began shortly afterwards.

Score Big Every Time with a Diamond On behalf of Gateway and our employees we congratulate the City of Estevan on the opening of

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Proud to support growth in Estevan!

Spectra Place It was a pleasure being a part of this project.

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20

A timeline in photos

Once the steel arrived on site the structure of Spectra Place began to take shape.

Congratulations

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Thanks to the fundraising committee, you saw a goal and you reached it!

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21

Innovation

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We are there now.

If it happens at Spectra Place, we’ll be covering it from the Estevan Mercury Press Box. Estevan

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22

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23

These two photos show the progress of the roof and concrete work.

Congratulations 6 3 ( & 7 5 $ & 5 ( ' , 7 8 1 , 2 1

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24

The laminated beams that adorn the ceiling in the lobby approach area are one of the architectural highlights of the building.

Opportunities take shape when we all

Come Together

Congratulations on a Job Well Done!

Promoting the Events

Cindy Beaulieu

Deanna Tarnes

Glenys Dowart

Teresa Hrywkiw

Kristen O’Handley

Covering the Events

Norm Park

Chad Saxon

Josh Lewis

Jordan Baker

Estevan’s Newspaper Since 1903 Phone: 634-2654 ~ www.estevanmercury.ca

25

SOUTHEAST TRADER

EXPRESS

A timeline in photos

$ & 5 ( ' , 7 8 1 , 2 1

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Cochrane gives Spectra Place a grand opening

Spectra Place was unveiled to the public Friday night for the fifth and final arena fundraising dinner which was attended by over 700 people. the Ànal dinner, like the four that preceded it, was another major success.

With the always entertaining Burke as the featured speaker and Saskatchewan Roughriders Darian Durant and Gene Makowsky also part of the agenda, more than 700 people made their way to Spectra Place and raised well over $200,000, the bulk of that total coming through the live auction.

A new F-150 half-ton donated by Senchuk Ford was the big-ticket item in the auction, bringing in $64,000.

Another hot item was the rare opportunity to travel with an NHL team

“These are buildings where you come to celebrate life and hopefully you will come here to celebrate a lot of life … and some hockey championships.”

– Tom Cochrane

Victory Day!

Spectra Place opens to rave reviews

reviews from those attending the dinner and the speakers themselves.

“Look at this magical place you guys have built,” said Burke, who was effusive in his praise for Spectra Place. “What you, you the community have done is take a dream and convert it (to reality). This thing is awesome.”

Although there is plenty of Ànishing work yet to be completed, construction crews have been working at a breakneck pace over the past few weeks to get Spectra Place ready enough to hold the dinner.

And it’s a good thing they did as

Community

C1

Issue 47

After years of wishing, waiting, hoping and more waiting, the residents of Estevan got their Àrst glimpse of Spectra Place Friday night.

The city’s new events centre was Ànally unveiled to the public when it hosted the Àfth and Ànal area fundraising dinner which was headlined

by Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke.

While the wait to open the arena was a bit longer than expected, the reaction of all who entered the facility Friday indicated it was more than worth it as there were plenty of rave

Mercury

offered up by Burke. The package, which went for $25,000, includes a game in Toronto and a chance to join the Leafs on the road for two games.

The next major event scheduled for Spectra Place is the April 15 grand opening concert featuring Canadian rockers Tom Cochrane and Red Rider with special guests Kim Mitchell.

Tickets for the concert can be purchased at ticketmaster.ca. Tickets must be purchased in advance as there will be no sales at the door.

For more on the fundraising dinner and the athlete of the year award presentations, please see page B1.

Whether it was planned or not, Tom Cochrane really couldn’t have picked a better opening song if he tried.

The Canadian rocker kicked off his set at Friday’s Spectra Place grand opening concert with his 1989 hit single Victory Day, a Àtting number as the residents of Estevan celebrated the opening of the beautiful, state of the art facility which was more than Àve years in the making.

Cochrane and his bandmates were joined on the twin bill by fellow Canadian rocker Kim Mitchell who provided an equally entertaining show as he tore through a crowdpleasing set.

Although there were a couple of kinks such as long lines at the beer windows, the show went about as well as could be expected for a maiden voyage as Spectra Place proved it will be a great venue for future shows with great acoustics and sight lines from virtually everywhere in the building.

“I thought it was a great event,” said City manager Jim Puffalt. “It was a great opportunity to showcase the building again and it was

nice to hear the sound in the place. People came up to me and said to me ‘the sound is awesome, best that I have heard in a long time’ so I was pretty pumped about that. We had a little bit of issues with the beer lines but we had that Àgured out by the second act so all in all, it was a great show.”

After opening the show with Victory Day and pumping out a few high energy numbers, Cochrane and his band, which included Ken Greer and Jeff Jones who have been with Cochrane dating back to their days as Red Rider, slowed things down for a handful of songs.

The slower set also included a poignant moment as Cochrane dedicated the song The Untouchable One to Aeramis Kolke, the 13-year-old Estevan resident who recently committed suicide partly due to being bullied.

The rest of the roughly two and half hour set included many of the hits fans expected to hear from the Red Rider hit White Hot to his worldwide hit Life is a Highway. Cochrane also took time to give Spectra Place a stamp of approval,

noting “these are buildings where you come to celebrate life and hopefully you will come here to celebrate a lot of life … and some hockey championships.”

After a brief respite backstage, the band came out for an encore that included White Hot and Boy Inside the Man from his 1986 album Tom Cochrane and Red Rider.

Known largely for his

in Estevan Friday Red Rider were ist ne and his band Below, Cochrane and guitar t. icon Tom Cochra opening concer mance.

Canadian rock a Place grand half hour perfor the two and a night for the Spectr together during Jeff Jones come

portfolio of party anthems, Mitchell and his band of bassist Peter Fredette, drummer Chris Sutherland and keyboardist Don Breithaupt, did a fantastic job

of warming up the crowd with hits such as Patio Lanterns, Go for a Soda and I am a Wild Party.

He also shared with the crowd that he was excited to play Estevan as his father

was born and raised in the city before moving east to Ontario.

Although an official attendance count was unavailable before press time, it’s estimated that just over 2,000 people took in Friday’s show.

SaskPower CEO takes Estevan on a tour of the future The chief executive ofÀcer for SaskPower took an informal tone to the podium last Wednesday evening as he addressed about 120 200 members and guests of the hee Estevan and District Board rd d of Tourism, Trade and Commerce.

Robert Watson, who joined SaskPower a little over a year ago, having accepted a transfer from his former position as head man at SaskTel, indicated that with a federal election campaign now in the works, expected federal regulations associated with capture and sequestration of carbon dioxide in thermal power

production plants will, once again, be put on hold.

The expected regulations were supposed to have b revealed l d by b the th federal f d l been government in April, but that is obviously not going li iis to hhappen as P Parliament now prorogued, pending the outcome of a late spring election.

But with the Àrst phase of a retrofit on Boundary Dam Power Station’s No. 3 unit already underway, Watson hinted that the province and SaskPower may just proceed with the complete $1.2 billion project anyway.

He noted that the new generator for Unit 3 is being built

at an additional expense to accommodate carbon dioxide capture features and ensuing C02 sequestration biliti About Ab t $360 capabilities. million is already being expended on the 120 megawatt power project first j iin the h fi phase of construction.

The federal government has provided $240 million toward the project with that being sent to the province over three years ago.

Watson stopped short of saying the carbon capture aspect of the project will move ahead for sure, but that since the expenditures had been made to accom-

modate it, the refusal by a senior government to not go ahead with a clean coal/ environmentally friendly Àguration ti did ’t seem conÀ didn’t likely.

Watson also suggested h SaskPower S kP i h also l that might show initiative in moving forward with a pilot project component at nearby Shand Power Station. He said since an earlier proposal for a partnership with Montana to explore more clean coal technology, including sequestration and use of C02 as an enhanced oil recovery agent, has been cancelled by senior governments, SaskPower may proceed

with their own testing facility that could attract private industry power producers wanting to test various t off experimental i t l components projects in a commercialsized venue.

W ld the h group Watson told that Units 1 and 2 at Boundary Dam are being shut down and decommissioned within the next few years, only because they are now considered too small to rebuild efÀciently.

The CEO noted how the demand for power has been growing substantially and steadily in the province over the past few years, ų A2

The first event in Spectra Place was held in March when the final arena fundraising dinner featured Toronto Maple Leafs General Manager Brian Burke. Just over two weeks later the first concert featured Tom Cochrane and Kim Mitchell. And in July the ice was installed in anticipation of the upcoming hockey season.

Kim Mitchell provided the opening act for Friday’s show.

Along with playing his usual brand of party music Mitchell surprised the crowd when he informed them that his father was born and raised in Estevan.

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Joe Bowen (left) and Brian Burke

Stars come out for fundraising dinners Although Estevan might be a long way from the hockey mecca of Toronto and even a good hike from NHL cities such as Calgary or Winnipeg, that didn’t stop the stars from coming out for five dinners held to raise funds for Spectra Place.

The New Arena Fundraising Dinners, as they were called, attracted some of the biggest names in hockey, football and Canadian television to Estevan.

Organized by dinner chairman Ron Areshenkoff and a dedicated army of volunteers too big to mention, the dinners raised well over $1 million towards the construction of the beautiful new facility.

The first of the five dinners was held in 2007 and attracted nationwide atten-

tion when NHL commissioner Gary Bettman agreed to be the featured speaker. Despite his high profile in the game of hockey, Bettman’s busy schedule does not allow him many opportunities to speak at public events such as the new arena dinner.

Due in no small part to Bettman’s presence, the dinner was a massive success. Although he is certainly one of the most polarizing figures in the game of hockey, tickets for the dinner, which also featured then Anaheim Ducks general manager Brian Burke, sold out in days.

The local businesses and individuals who attended the dinner at the Estevan Comprehensive School also came in a giving mood, spending over $86,000 in the ⇢

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⇠ live auction and helping to raise almost $200,000 in total.

While the appearance of Bettman left organizers with a hard act to follow, the second dinner was also a memorable event as another controversial figure — this time Micheal Landsberg, the host of TSN’s longrunning program Off The Record — served not only as emcee but also as the featured speaker.

Joining Landsberg on stage were a pair of Saskatchewan Roughriders, Jeremy O’Day and Gene Makowsky, who were fresh off of winning the Grey Cup just five months earlier.

The 2009 dinner gave the generous Estevan audience the chance to hear from a recently minted Hockey Hall of Famer as long-time NHL linesman Ray “Scampy” Scapinello was the featured speaker.

In spite of his small stature, Scapinello carried a big profile among NHL officials thanks in large part to his being selected to work some of the biggest games in hockey history and his obvious love for the game which came through in his memorable

speech.

Along with Scapinello was one of the toughest players to ever out come of Saskatchewan, Spy Hill product Jeff Odgers.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders were also represented at the dinner again as wide receiver Weston Dressler made his way to Estevan and provided the comedic ⇢

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⇠ highlight of the night.

With Canada still basking in the glow of an incredible performance at the 2010 Winter Olympics, the 2010 dinner featured the man that helped provide the biggest highlight of the Games, Steve Yzerman.

One of hockey’s greatest players, Yzerman was the GM of the Canadian men’s hockey team and was tasked with selecting a

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lineup that would capture the gold medal on home ice.

As we all know now, Yzerman and his management team were vindicated when their selections defeated the United States in overtime to capture gold.

Just days after winning gold, both Yzerman and Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland, who was a member of the management team, were in Estevan to headline the fourth fundraising dinner.

Both men proved to be great speakers as they provided the sold-out audience with a behind the scenes look at the Olympic hockey tournament and Canada’s thrilling gold medal win.

The fourth dinner was among the most successful and also the end of an era. After calling the Estevan Comprehensive School home for four years, the event fittingly moved to Spectra Place for its final kick at the can.

The dinner was memorable for a number of reasons. Not only was it the first time the majority of those attending the dinner would see Spectra Place, it also marked the return of Brian Burke to Estevan. ⇢

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⇠ Now the general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Burke was joined at Spectra Place by his assistant GM Dave Nonis and Joe Bowen who has been the play-by-play voice of the Leafs for a number of years. As well Darian Durant and Gene Makowsky of the Roughriders were also part of the full agenda.

However it was the Toronto trio, in particular Bowen and Burke, who stole the show with a memorable appearance,

at least for the audience. As usual Burke imparted his hockey knowledge to those in attendance. He also showed his generous side, offering up a once in a lifetime trip for the auction that raised thousands of dollars.

Not only was the final dinner a fitting conclusion to an impressive five-year run, it also pushed the total over the $1 million mark and helped the arena fundraising reach its goal of $8 million.

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Shady shenanigans were required to make final payments on Auditorium Sometimes getting to where you need to go takes a little innovation, imagination and ... well, sometimes it could even involve a few shady shenanigans, as long as no one is harmed.

How they managed to make some of the final payments on the Civic Auditorium is an interesting story according to former Estevan Bruin coach and now gold-miner Ernie “Punch” McLean.

“All the people who were directly involved are dead now, so I guess the story can be confirmed,” said McLean from his British Columbia home during a telephone conservation a few months ago.

Although he wasn’t a central character in the plot, McLean certainly was an eye and ear witness so he’s stepping up now to tell the story about how the Civic Auditorium roof was paid for, back in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

McLean, who was coming aboard the junior Bruins train as assistant coach to coach/ owner “Scotty” Munro, had a ring-side seat as the story unfolded.

“They needed $40,000 to finish paying for that roof and they weren’t getting there anywhere fast, so Scotty borrowed the money from the Boston Bruins to pay for it. He made the arrangements with Boston’s general manager Weston Adams,” McLean recalled.

“Scotty was getting an extra $5,000 a year from the Bruins to be their scout out here so he figured they could just deduct that amount from the bill until the 40 grand was repaid.”

Well, it seems that after the money was sent and spent, a few weeks later in fact, Munro received an irate phone call from the president of the Boston Bruins’ board of directors demanding the return of the money.

“Scotty tried to tell him that he ⇢

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⇠ had made the deal with Weston Adams and he was manager of the parent club, but that president wasn’t having any of that,” said McLean.

“He told Scotty that ‘Weston Adams has just one vote at the directors’ table and the directors had voted and they wanted their #&%$#*! money back,’” McLean said with a chuckle.

Apparently the phone call lasted just a few minutes, but the end result was that Munro informed the Bruin president that “you’ll get your #$%&**# money back tomorrow morning,” and he hung up.

The Estevan Bruin hockey mentor found himself in a very immediate tight spot, since he obviously didn’t have $40,000 in loose change hanging around.

Just about then, another Bruin executive member arrived on the scene and the dilemma was explained to him and as the two Bruin officials were walking and talking about this latest development, Wally Morine, who happened to be a Bruin fan and supporter, as well as the manager of the

newly-built ElksLodge in Estevan, came rambling down the hill from the Westview area of the city.

The two Bruin officials decided to share their problem with Morine who expressed some sympathy with their plight, informing them that he too, didn’t have much money, but he had the next best thing ... a plan to get it.

It seems that in those early days of oil patch rumbles and tumbles, the Elks Lodge found it to their advantage to install some real Las Vegas style slot machines in the clubrooms. The machines were proving to be very popular but were also on the verge of being shut down and removed since they were illegal in the province of Saskatchewan.

“Wally told Scotty that he had an idea, but it would first have to be run past Police Chief Harry Casswell and Mayor Harry Nicholson. The idea, of course, was to keep the slot machines going and use the profits to pay for the roof,” said McLean.

“All through the meeting, ⇢

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⇠ Casswell kept shaking his head, saying it was a ‘highly unlikely’ proposition and highly unusual request,” said McLean, but neither public official uttered a definite noway Jose edict. So the Bruin brain trust and Morine took that as a positive response and the slot machines stayed in operation, pouring out some winnings for the slot players on occasion and pouring out enough profit

to pay for the roof in a timely fashion.

McLean swears it’s true and states he figures there are still a few of those infamous slot machines sitting around Estevan somewhere, maybe in a basement or family room, serving as a conversation piece and a memory for some of the pioneers of Estevan’s early days in the junior hockey business.

As part of the Spectra Place construction the fitness room at the SVALC was doubled in size.

Earlier this year City staff installed over $80,000 worth of new equipment.

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