From faded and dated to refreshed and renewed, dozens of local skaters celebrated a newly renovated Forest Glade Arena Saturday.
“This has been a wonderful transformation,” said Lowe’s Canada acting vice-president of marketing Sonny Kekelj during an unveiling ceremony.
The renovations were done through Lowe’s Canada’s Rink Reno Program, which annually selects two community rinks from across Canada in need of an upgrade and donates $50,000 to fund part of those restorations. As part of the program, the host cities that are selected must agree to match the funds.
For Forest Glade Arena’s rink renovation, along with the City of Windsor’s match to the hardware store chain’s grant, funding from the city’s accessibility committee and supplies donated from vendors drove the total value of the project to more than $150,000.
The repairs were much needed for the local twin-pad arena, which was built in 1975, said Kekelj.
“Before it was OK, but it was old,” said Kekelj. “And so all this nice sprucing up and renovations that have been done are wonderful.”
More to come.
Lowe’s Canada unveiled the newly upgraded Forest Glade rink Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013, in Windsor. Lowe’s donated $50,000 to project as part of the community rink renovation program. The official party included a free skate. (DAN JANISSE/The Windsor Star)
Lowe’s Canada unveiled the newly upgraded Forest Glade rink Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013, in Windsor. Lowe’s donated $50,000 to project as part of the community rink renovation program. The official party included face painting for kids. Katherine Fox, 9, checks out her new look. (DAN JANISSE/The Windsor Star)
Lowe’s Canada unveiled the newly upgraded Forest Glade rink Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013, in Windsor. Lowe’s donated $50,000 to project as part of the community rink renovation program. The official party included a free skate. Matt Culver and his nephew Riley Culver, 4, hit the ice. (DAN JANISSE/The Windsor Star)
Seamus Caulfield, 6, participates in the building workshop as Lowe’s Canada unveiled the newly upgraded Forest Glade rink Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013, in Windsor. (DAN JANISSE/The Windsor Star)
Lowe’s Canada unveiled the newly upgraded Forest Glade rink Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013, in Windsor. Lowe’s donated $50,000 to project as part of the community rink renovation program. The official party included a board cutting ceremony. Sonny Kekelj, left, acting vice-president of marketing for Lowe’s Canada and Windsor Coun. Drew Dilkens participate in the event. (DAN JANISSE/The Windsor Star)
