There has been a board meeting to follow-up on the team sign-up we had at our last regular meeting before the holidays. The Board has worked on terms of reference for each of the teams. These were available on paper and will be emailed to all members in the future.

 

Dave Sundby spoke briefly on a very successful Enchanted Forest Project. This year’s version set a new attendance record. Thanks to all who participated and a huge thanks to Steve Wilson and Dave who went way beyond to make this project happen.

 

Dave also spoke about the Operation Rednose project sponsored by the Centennial Lions Club. This year the project got 1,200 individuals and their vehicles home safe. Dave suggested that this project is good public service and creates good fellowship among the team of drivers. Each team has three members. Teams could be formed out of our club. Hopefully, Dave will raise this again in advance of the project next year so our members can have the opportunity to participate.

 

There was a discussion about the Local Community Service meeting scheduled for Wednesday January 23^rd at the Saskatoon Club at 4:00 pm. All members who signed up for the local community service teams are requested to try to make this meeting if at all possible. Because of the overlap with World Community Service, the question has been asked whether a meeting of this group should follow the Local Service meeting. No decision was made so please watch your email.

 

 

The passing of Bev Johnson remains on our member’s minds. Several members used the Happy and Sad Time to share their thoughts about Bev. The service made it obvious just how well Bev was thought of by so many people. Clare Heagy remarked about how respected Bev was in the Saskatoon accounting community. We will all miss Bev as a person and as a Rotarian.

 

 

 

Vic Dubois put in sad dollars and led the discussion about how difficult the parking meters at the University are in general and at Belsher Place in particular. Apparently it is now a requirement for entrance to the University that you must be able to prove you can operate one of their parking meters. It is too bad that this requirement would deny a University education to so many of our members.

 

Maureen Torr paid happy dollars for the final approval of the grants for Joy’s Home project in Uganda.   We all know that it has been a long haul for Maureen and Earl to obtain this needed funding.

 

Wayne McGillivray put in sad dollars for the accident in Vanscoy that left one dead and one person seriously injured. He was happy that he and Bev were able to take a meal up to the hospital for the family. He was also happy for his trip to Australia.

 

Graham Pearson put in $20 dollars for all his missed meetings. He will be here through our next meeting and it seems he will be able to share some true Saskatchewan winter with us through the next two weeks.

 

Will Arscott put in sad dollars for having to attend the memorial service of an old elementary school friend who passed after a seventeen year battle with alcoholism. He remarked that the disease seems to get the nicest people and it is so sad for his children and grandchildren.

 

Mike Giesbrecht for the new Spiderman movie and sharing it on his son’s birthday.

 

Peter Zakreski for Father Peter from Malawi obtaining a sabbatical to Saskatoon. Father Peter has been a part of the Hope of Malawi project. Peter promised that we will get a chance to meet Father Peter at a future club meeting.

 

 

TOUR OF MERLIS BELSHER PLACE

 

Gary Rusu introduced Tanya Toporowski to the club. Tanya is the manager of Merlis Belsher Place. She has considerable experience in managing recreation facilities including the Canlan facilities in Saskatoon (Agriplace and Gemini). She now works for New Stadium Recreation which has been contracted to manage MBP.

 

The new MBP facility came on line in October though aspects of it remain under construction. It replaces the very old Rutherford rink which could seat maybe 500 in less than ideal seating.  The new facility seats almost 2,500 and could be expanded up to 3,700. It will be home to four teams: The men’s and women’s Husky Hockey teams, the Saskatoon Midget AAA Contacts and the Saskatoon Midget AAA Stars (female). It also has a commitment to providing some 1,700 hours per week of ice for Saskatoon minor hockey. It will provide for the expansion of summer hockey camps. In the spring it will also house the Pinty’s Grand Slam Curling championship.

 

The total cost was about 51 million with the U of S, and the city contributing. Merlis Belsher put up 12.5 million and set some important parameters. He is to be greatly credited with his vision. He demanded a facility with two ice surfaces, one for spectators and one a practice ice. The spectator ice is mid-size between NHL size and Olympic size. The practice ice is NHL size. The area opens with a wonderful sky-lit entrance. The building is built around a wide upper concourse designed to allow people to meet and greet. There are private loges but no private boxes. This shows Merlis as a man of vision and one for the people.

 

Following this introduction we were taken on a tour of the facilities. These facilities include a wide range of athletic and research areas including a full gym which is being completed. The University men’s and women’s soccer teams also have locker rooms in the facility which will lead to a series of new athletic fields to be developed on the surrounding land.

 

There is so much more. We were able to tour the Husky men’s dressing room and meet the coach.   In all aspects the women’s program is being treated as equal to the men’s. Before the end of the season the club should plan to take in a game at the facility.

 

[Editor’s note: Maybe we can find another Merlis Belsher who wants to take on building a performing arts center for the University - that should be the next project to complement this very welcome addition to the University and to Saskatoon.]

 

 

 Adjournment