Image Credit: Kent Simmonds / CFJC Today

By Dylana Kneeshaw

CHASE ARENA UPGRADES

Art Holding Memorial Arena named winner of $100K Game Changer Reno contest

Mar 18, 2024 | 6:00 PM

CHASE, B.C. — It’s no small feat to keep a secret in a small town, but arena management in Chase made sure to keep a lid on a $100,000 announcement today (Mar. 18).

Monday afternoon, the community found out that the arena had won the Game Changer Reno Contest through the Vancouver Canucks and LiUNA Local 1611.

Facility Manager Owen Christon says when he got the call last month about the prize, initially he thought it might have been a scam. Then quickly realized it was legitimate, and the arena would be able to get some needed upgrades.

Christon notes that keeping the announcement a secret was the hardest part, but well worth the wait.

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“Yeah, I was in tears when I heard the news of $100,000,” Christon told CFJC crews at the arena this afternoon, “I was still partially skeptical for a little bit. It took a few weeks until it became reality, and today obviously. It became really real when they showed up last night.”

Nav Malhotra is the business manager and secretary-treasurer for LiUNA Local 1611, and says seeing the excitement today reiterated why they wanted to help out with the prize money.

“There were over 100 applicants, narrowed it down to the five – and Chase was the winner. So it’s great to see that, and all the young children here.”

With the Canucks being part of the contest, the community who came out for the announcement was able to skate with mascot FIN, and Canucks Alumni Kirk McLean. McLean says coming out to local rinks and seeing the improvements for facilities, and ultimately the sport, is part of what inspires him to take part.

“The support that I’ve just been seeing in the short time that we’ve been here has been incredible, and getting to know some of the young players that play on the Heat, it’s pretty eye opening and educational for myself,” he adds.

The Art Holding Memorial Arena is a staple in Chase, but the well-used facility could use a number of upgrades, such as painting, general rink improvements, additional changing areas for girls, and more.

Steffi Timm is the president of the Chase and District Recreation Society and says the money means a lot to the parents, kids, athletes, and residents who all use the arena.

“I was here when the arena was built and so I have seen what an amazing place this is for our community and how much it gets used,” she explains, “Not just for hockey, but we have a skating club now, we’ve got tons of public skating available and we’ve got rec leagues. And it’s an amazing place in the off-season. I’ve been to weddings here, I’ve been to graduations here, it really is just one of those hubs of our community.”

The arena’s board will need to decide what’s up first on the to-do list, but by this time next year, the rink is expected to have some fresh improvements.