By TERRY PUGH

A fundraising campaign to upgrade the arena in Clavet is more than halfway toward its goal of $500,000, thanks to a recent large donation from an area business.

The donation from Kachur Wealth Management in November, 2024 provided a “huge jumpstart” to the fundraising effort, according to ‘Raise the Roof’ campaign chair Tari-Lynne Beamish.

“It was a fantastic gesture,” said Beamish. “We started raising money back in January, 2024 to repair the roof of the arena and add a concrete floor. The total cost of the project is about $500,000.

“We had raised about $150,000 by last fall, but we were still a long way from our goal.

“That’s when Cole Kachur, the owner of Kachur Wealth Management, stepped up and donated $100,000 toward the project.

“That  single donation put us at the halfway mark, and really helped encourage others to chip in as well. We’re now sitting at a little over $260,000, which is about 62% of our overall goal.”

In recognition of the corporate sponsorship, the name of the arena has been officially changed to the Kachur Wealth Community Arena. The naming rights are for a period of five years.

Cole Kachur, who lives on an acreage between Saskatoon and Clavet, said while his business is located in Saskatoon, his family’s home base is really the small community of Clavet. His two kids are enrolled in the community’s minor hockey program, and he coaches hockey as well. The rink is a big part of his family’s life, and he said he wanted to give the fundraising campaign a shot in the arm at a critical time.

“We were happy to do our part,” said Kachur. “Sometimes these types of campaign just need a little boost to reinvigorate them.

“My wife, Britttany, and I feel it’s very important to have an arena, because it’s  the heart of every small town. And  we know that if you don’t take care of the facilities you have; if you don’t upgrade them and keep them looking good, then eventually the time will come when they’re not going to be functional anymore. They get past the point of repair, and then it’s a case of you don’t know what you have until it’s not there anymore.”

Kachur said he and his family spend a lot of time at the rink. It’s where they socialize with friends and acquaintances during the winter months.

“I started thinking about what this facility means to Clavet, and about all the hard work that Tari-Lynne and the people on the arena board do, and the vision they have, and just felt that we needed to step up and take the reins and help out,” he said. “We’re proud and happy to do that.”

The first part of the arena upgrade was completed in the spring and summer of 2024, when a urethane spray foam coating was applied to the top of the roof to seal it and prevent rain and snow from leaking through. The protective liner also provided insulation by reflecting the heat back instead of absorbing it.

The roof upgrade portion of the project was financed initially using the arena’s mortgage as security.

The second part of the upgrade will see a concrete floor installed. According to Beamish, that means excavation of the floor, reinsulating and levelling the ground, putting in new lines, and finally laying down concrete.

“It’s expensive, but the goal is to make the arena a year-round facility,” said Beamish. “Once the concrete is in, we’ll be able to have the arena host trade shows, community events, weddings and other gatherings. We’ll also be able to use it for ball hockey and lacrosse. That will help generate revenue over the summer months to help pay for the maintenance costs.”

The Kachur Wealth Community Arena in Clavet is owned and operated by the non-profit, volunteer Clavet Community Arena  The building was constructed in 1988-89 by a contractor, assisted by local volunteers

The Raise the Roof fundraising campaign will continue until the entire $500,000 objective has been reached. Beamish said there are several fundraising events slated for the coming months.

Additional information on the fundraising campaign is available online.