Richardson Pioneer said it was pleased to support the Preeceville Arena with a gift of $75,000 to help replace the roof and upgrade the aging facility. The Arena will be renamed Richardson Pioneer Skating Arena.
The presentation was made November 10 at the Arena. Dallas Harrison, director of operations for Richardson Pioneer Canora, along with Tess Strand and Florian Balawyder of the Preeceville branch of Richardson Pioneer, made the presentation with Town of Preeceville representatives accepting. In attendance were Shirley Jackson, Town of Preeceville administrator; Andrea Tonn, Town of Preeceville recreation director; and councillors, Johnny Petryshyn, Stacey Strykowski, Welma Bartel and Darin Newton.
The Preeceville School students, who were welcomed to the presentation, were served free hotdogs.
"Originally built in 1977, the Preeceville Arena was in need of significant repairs to remain a cornerstone of this Saskatchewan community," said Andrea Tonn, Preeceville recreation director. "The cost of replacing the roof, to fix extensive leaks, repair the structure and improve insulation was just over $500,000.
“With help from Richardson Pioneer, the Town of Preeceville and the Canada 150 Fund, the project was completed ahead of schedule this fall," she said.
"Projects like these are exactly what we look to support," said Dallas Harrison, director of operations for Richardson Pioneer of Canora. "We see the important role that the arena plays in the Preeceville area. It brings people together and fosters a strong and healthy community.”
When the arena isn't packed with hockey players and figure skaters, it is a physical education program hub for elementary school kids and it hosts graduation events for the Preeceville School, trade fairs and a number of other recreational functions, it was said.
"We are incredibly thankful for Richardson Pioneer and its financial support of $75,000 to the arena roof replacement project," said Tonn, "This generous donation is a wonderful example of a commitment to help support small town recreation programs and has helped ease some of the financial burden that is associated with such a large project.”
Donations are made possible through the Richardson Foundation, the giving arm of James Richardson and Sons, Limited and affiliated companies, according to Brigitte Burgoyne, communications and digital media specialist for Richardson Pioneer. In 2015, Richardson donated over $1.65 million to support 70 community projects and organizations across Canada.
“Richardson is proud to help support initiatives that have demonstrated support and funding from the local community," Burgoyne said.
Richardson Pioneer is a division of Richardson International, Canada's largest agribusiness, said information from the company. Recognized as a global leader in agriculture and food processing, Richardson is a worldwide handler and merchandiser of all major Canadian-grown grains and oilseeds and a vertically integrated processor and manufacturer of oats and canola based products. One of Canada's best managed companies, Richardson is based in Winnipeg and has over 2,500 employees across Canada and the U.S.
