The Wyant Group has donated $500,000 to the University of Saskatchewan‘s Home Ice Campaign.
In front of stakeholders from Saskatoon’s hockey community, Vaughn Wyant expressed his passion for contributing to the project.
“I think people perform better when they have good facilities, good equipment, and good coaching. I think they’ve suffered long enough,” Wyant said.
“We’re very humbled and proud to be a part of it so giving our money is kind of a no-brainer.”
The new complex, named Merlis Belsher Place, will replace Rutherford Rink and include two ice surfaces. Not only will the Saskatchewan Huskies benefit directly from having a new arena for their varsity hockey teams, but the Saskatoon Minor Hockey League will be a main benefactor, having full access to the small ice surface.
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“It’s going to have clinics, basketball courts … it’s not just going to have a seating capacity for two rinks, it’s going to be a whole complex”, University of Saskatchewan president Peter Stoicheff said in accepting the donation.
Of the $35 million already raised, $7 million is still needed to fulfill the construction needs.
Stoicheff believes the community will step up to fill this void.
“I think there are still donors who care about Huskie Athletics, but also minor hockey,” Stoicheff said.
“Having a rink like this means you don’t have to travel to games, you can stay in Saskatoon.”