Elm Creek celebrates grand re-opening of arena with new artificial ice
Elm Creek marked a major milestone last Friday with the official ribbon cutting for its long-awaited artificial ice project — a community-driven upgrade that organizers say will transform winter recreation for years to come.
Elm Creek Arena board members Tyra McIntyre, Kaylee Goerzen, Jarryd Fortin, Brad Tkachyk, Daniel Lepp and Kelvin Thielmann hold the ribbon, at the ribbon cutting ceremony, as Lorne Zacharais declared the Elm Creek Skating Rink Artificial Ice Project completed
Rink board chair Lorne Zacharias welcomed a packed crowd to the Elm Creek Arena, thanking residents, donors and volunteers for bringing the ambitious project to life. What began as a plan for a sand-floor rink quickly grew into a full concrete base after fundraising surpassed expectations.
“Our original goal was simply to put in a sand floor,” Zacharias said. “But the community stepped up in such an incredible way that we were able to move to a full concrete surface — something that will benefit Elm Creek for decades.”
The project came with a price tag of roughly $700,000, raised almost entirely through local contributions. The scale of the upgrade was significant: crews removed 80 tandem loads of sand and clay, replacing it with 10 inches of compacted gravel, four inches of Styrofoam insulation, and six inches of concrete reinforced with truckloads of rebar and chairs.
Embedded within that concrete is one of the project’s most impressive elements — eight miles (13 km) of one-inch pipe, manufactured locally in the RM of Grey.
“Having that much pipe in our new floor is incredible on its own,” Zacharias said. “But having it made right here in our own municipality makes it even more special.”
The new plant began running in mid-October and has been performing above expectations. The arena currently has about 1½ inches of ice, something Zacharias noted would have been impossible this early without artificial ice.
Zacharias said the committee will now take a short break before regrouping to consider future improvements, including potential upgrades to the dressing rooms. While the rooms are warm, clean and freshly painted — and more than adequate for today’s needs — he said enhancements down the road would help further strengthen the facility.
Zacharias paid tribute to the broad network of people who made the upgrade possible. He acknowledged the fundraising committee, which first met in May 2024, along with current and past rink board members and countless volunteers who put in hours of labour.
Board members recognized at the event included Tyra McIntyre, Kaylee Goerzen, Jarryd Fortin, Brad Tkachyk, Daniel Lepp and Kelvin Thielmann.
Contractors thanked for their contributions included Prairie HVAC, HD Concrete, PG Structural Engineering, and Champion Electric.
While reluctant to single out individuals, Zacharias noted the exceptional efforts of Daniel Lepp, Kelvin Thielmann, Brad Tkachyk, Clark Sisson and Barb Lepp. He also thanked everyone involved in this year’s grain-growing fundraiser on RM land.
The donor board, coordinated by Barb Fortin and Bree Voesnek, highlights the wide range of businesses, farms and individual supporters — including anonymous donors and several naming-rights partners. The only government funding came from an RM of Grey grant.
Zacharias also expressed gratitude to Corinne Schroeder, whose support and national hockey profile helped draw wider attention to the project. Her message was shared with the crowd:
“Despite how cold it was in the rink some days, many of my favourite hockey memories were made in this building,” Schroeder wrote. “It makes me incredibly happy that the youth in our community can continue playing hockey and skating in Elm Creek all winter long.”
A letter from MLA Lauren Stone was also read:
“This arena is more than ice — it’s a gathering place, a source of pride, and a reminder of what a committed community can accomplish together.”
The event also celebrated a $5,000 grant from the Carman Area Foundation, which supported new LED lighting and electrical upgrades.
With the acknowledgements complete, Zacharias invited board members Tyra McIntyre, Kaylee Goerzen, Jarryd Fortin, Brad Tkachyk, Daniel Lepp and Kelvin Thielmann.
to hold the ribbon as he declared:
“I hereby declare the Elm Creek Skating Rink Artificial Ice Project completed!”
Residents were then invited to stay for an evening of public skating, free hot chocolate, hot food from the canteen, and a prize draw.
The celebration marked not just the opening of a new ice surface but a testament to community determination — proving once again that a small town with a shared vision can achieve big dreams.
The Elm Creek Skating Rink Artificial Ice Project was made possible through extraordinary community generosity, reflected on a donor wall recognizing supporters at every level.
• Access Credit Union is honoured at the Builder level for contributions between $25,000 and $49,999.
• Sponsor-level donors, giving $10,000 to $24,999, include Carman Concrete Ltd., Encoma Ltd., Homestead Co-op, Daniel and Janelle Lepp, Ian and Michelle Lega, Rob and Kyla Lepp, Bryan and Janice McIntyre, Glenn and Alice Miller, Newman Hand Insurance Ltd., Prairie Flour Mills Ltd., Corinne Schroeder, Hayden, Berlynn, Theodore and Thacher Tkachyk, and the Zacharias family.
• Friend-level supporters, contributing $5,000 to $9,999, range from local farms and businesses to families and memorial donations, including Agri Stainless Inc., R. Banman Construction Ltd., Bargen Farm Ltd., BrettYoung, Rob Bryson and Barb Tkachyk, Doyle’s Funeral Home Ltd., Ken and Gloria Froese, Danny and Kathleen Guillas, Janzen Chevrolet Carman, Margaret, Reynold and Anita Janzen-Gemmel, Al and Pat Kroeker, Parrish & Heimbecker Ltd., Cal and Gloria Penner, Colin and Lari Penner, PKF Lawyers, Riedtwon Dairy Ltd., Rocky Mountain Equipment, Scotswood Links and its men’s league, Kelvin and Kristi Thielmann, Ed and Jo-Anna Tkachyk, Jim and Cathy Tkachyk Farms, Blaine Lepp, Monica Leung and Linden, Miller Agritec Inc., Cargill, Greenland Equipment, the RM of Grey, Prairie Roots Consumer Co-operative Ltd., Richardson Pioneer, Harlarra Farms Ltd., Kehler Farms Ltd., Harry and Barbara Lepp, and Jim and Vicki Pedersen. Supporter-level donors of $2,500 to $4,999 include Bayer, Phil and Pat Schmidt Inc., Craig and Robyn Frost, Tim and Joanne Frost, Darcy and Kaylee Goerzen, Glen and Pam McIntosh, Derrick and Tyra McIntyre, Brad and Madelyn Melnick, Andrea Miller, MK Agro, RUP Seeds, and Wille and Lori Schroeder.
• Fan-level contributors of $1,000 to $2,499 include Carman Beavers, Celebrity Flooring, Andrew and Lindsay Davis, Elm Creek Minor Hockey, Joan Enns, Derek Erb Seeds Inc., Quade and Steph Froese, Debbie Frost, Jennifer Elaine CPA, Jantec Diesel Inc., the Kinette Club of Carman, Bill and Florence Lepp, Ed and Irene Lepp, MMJS, Donald and Dorothy McKay, Chris and Kim Morison, Northern Plains Drainage Systems, Blaine and Diane Pederson, St. Claude Autobody, Rod and Helen Savage, Charles and Christine Schroeder, Rob and Karen Schroeder, Sisson Auto Brandon, Thielmann Acres Ltd., Doris Tkachyk, Westman Communications Group, Jack and Gale Wight, and Dennis and Myrna Woods.
• Donor-level supporters giving between $500 and $999 include AG Advantage Ltd., Cornelius Funk, the Dhelly family, Elm Creek Mall in the Hall, Kernels Corn Stand, June Lepp and Blake McIntyre, JR Brothers Farms, Doug and Lillian Middleton, Pembina Air, Playboys Hockey Club, Al Pritchard, Sherry and Jack Ryrie and family, Shur-Gro Farm Services Ltd., Syngenta, Terrance Tkachyk, Westward Ford Sales, Ian and Sherry Woods and family, Viterra, Mitchell Wight, and Travis Wight. Their combined generosity reflects the deep commitment of residents, businesses, farms and families who helped bring the artificial ice project to life.
