Grow Arena Project Harvest Complete

Michelle Pinon News Advertiser

Clear blue skies and warm temperatures were in abundance Saturday, Oct. 3.

High atop the bank of the North Saskatchewan River in Brosseau volunteers and sponsors with the Grow Arena Project were harvesting wheat on the 40-acre field.

Later in the day, Terry Kitz said they’d be heading over to the other field, 100 acres on the south side of the river to do the same. “We’re hoping to get 80 bushels per acre out of this.”

This is the third year they have been harvesting crops, with all of the proceeds going to pay for renovations at the Two Hills Arena. Kitz estimates they’ve been able to raise $180,000 through the Grow Arena Project.

He was also excited to announce the final walk-through was done the other day, and the arena should be opening in about a month.

Webb’s Machinery is one of the major sponsors for the project, and had Randy Metrunec, Manager of the Vegreville location, along with employee Jacob Krahn on site. They were joined by Dan Webb, Manager of Webbs Wainwright location, Morley Dennill with Agriterra, as well as Grow Arena Project volunteer Dustin Axley. Kitz said Highland Feeders kindly supplied the manpower and equipment to bale the straw.

Metrunec and Webb say they’re more than happy to help. “Those are our customers and we want to support them as best we can.”

Kitz said, “It’s been a team effort.” The companies have supplied the seed, inputs, equipment, and manpower throughout the project, and he is very grateful for all of the support they’ve provided.

The Grow Arena Project is a subcommittee of the Two Hills & District Agricultural Society. Kitz said there have been several other fundraisers over the past five years and estimates that more than 100 volunteers have donated their time and talents to making it a success. Kitz estimates they’ve raised about $1.3 million to date, and expects fundraising to last for another two years.

The arena supports about 150 local athletes through a number of programs, from pond hockey to after school hockey, minor hockey, and recreational hockey. Kitz can hardly wait for the doors to re-open and give people in the community a great reason to smile.

Sponsors and volunteers with the Grow Arena Arena Project had a great day of harvesting on Oct. 3. Pictured from left to right are: Randy Metrunec, Jacob Krahn, Morley Dennill, Dan Webb,Terry Kitz, and Dustin Axley. (Michelle Pinon/Photo)