Martensville’s first ‘Party on the Pond’ outdoor hockey tournament in March, 2020 took place just before COVID-19 public health restrictions were implemented.
This year’s event, slated for this weekend, just happens to coincide with the ending of those restrictions in Saskatchewan.
“It’s kind of interesting, in a way, that the fundraisers ‘book-end’ the COVID lockdown,” said Martensville Community Recreation Project (MCRP) spokesperson Jesse Reis. “Basically, the first one happened the weekend before everything shut down in 2020. Two years later, this is the first major fundraising event we’re running, and it’s taking place the first weekend after things open up.
“We’re excited to be able to have something like this again.”
The ‘Party on the Pond’ is a three-on-three recreational hockey tournament March 4 and 5 featuring 40 teams from across Saskatchewan. Each team has three skaters, and there are no goalies. Players are required to wear protective equipment for insurance purposes.
All the action takes place outdoors on the natural ice of the pond in Kinsmen Park, across from the North Ridge Centennial Community Centre.
The event also includes a performance by comedian Kelly Taylor on Friday night and a cabaret with live entertainment on Saturday night. Funds raised through team entry fees and the two evening events are turned over to the MCRP, a non-profit community organization, which in turn earmarks the money for a proposed Martensville multi-purpose recreational facility to be in Martensville built west of Highway 12. The proposed facility will include an indoor ice arena and indoor soccer pitch.
Martensville currently has one indoor ice surface; a facility that was built by volunteers in the 1980s. Demand for ice time from the city’s minor hockey program far exceeds the capacity limits of the existing rink. Minor hockey teams regularly rent ice time in surrounding communities for games and practices.
Reis said the committee organizing the ‘Party on the Pond’ is separate from the MCRP.
“It’s a group of people who’ve taken on this particular project,” said Reis. “I’m helping out because it’s a good fundraiser and it’s ultimately going to help fill a real community need.”
Reis said the first ‘Party on the Pond’ in 2020 raised over $40,000. The number of teams was limited to 30 at that time, and because of COVID restrictions, there were limits on the gatherings for evening entertainment. This time around, those limits have been lifted, and Reis is optimistic the event will reach the $50,000 fundraising target set by organizers.
Reis said over the last several years, the MCRP has raised over $2.8 million toward the new multi-purpose recreational facility. The first phase of the project, which may begin construction later this year, is estimated to cost $37.7 million.
The City of Martensville has committed $6.5 million to the facility; of which $4.5 million is expected to be in a special reserve (funded through a dedicated tax levy) by the end of this year.
The City of Martensville is currently awaiting word from the federal and provincial governments on whether the project will be approved for funding under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.