Foxwarren rink gets $100K boost from province
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The provincial government’s recent $100,000 contribution for crucial repairs to the Foxwarren Arena is being described as “incredible” by a facility board member.
Foxwarren has been without an arena since an August 2024 wind storm, when up to 155-kilometre-an-hour winds tore off part of the building’s roof.
The closure has been a loss felt by the community, located about 150 kilometres northwest of Brandon.
A large portion of the Foxwarren Arena was exposed after an August 2024 wind storm ripped off sections of the roof. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun files)
“It feels like there’s been a hole in the town,” said Foxwarren District Recreation Centre board member Mark Wotton, who played in the arena before making it to the NHL in the 1990s.
“The rink is the hub of the community,” Wotton said Tuesday. “It’s a huge importance for the town to make sure it stays open, and get it fixed up.”
The Manitoba government announced the funding in a news release on Monday.
On top of private donations, the provincial contribution brings the total amount raised to $218,000. The goal is to raise up to $300,000 to bring the arena up to standard.
The rink, which has since had its roof repaired, still needs work inside and to be brought up to code before it can reopen. The planned opening date is for next summer.
The arena hosts hockey and figure skating, along with events like weddings, agricultural society functions, community meetings and celebrations.
Roger Wilson, reeve of Prairie View Municipality, said the 76-year-old rink has a legacy in the community of producing talent and being an important hub.
“It’s more than a hockey rink. It’s sort of the community centre — not just in the wintertime, but in the summertime too,” he said.
The rink helped birth NHL players like Pat Falloon, Ronnie Low and Wotton.
Not having the rink reopen would “be incredibly difficult for the good folks of Foxwarren,” Wilson said.
“They’ve lost a big piece of their community, so very important to get it back.”
Municipal and Northern Relations Minister Glen Simard said the added funding will benefit the region and help give kids a bright future.
“These critical repairs will help ensure the FDRC remains the heart of the community, providing residents and visitors of all ages with a safe facility for recreational and social events,” Simard, the MLA for Brandon East, said in the news release.
Wotton said it has felt “disheartening” whenever he’s driven past the rink since last summer, and there’s never any cars in the parking lot.
He said he’s thankful for the government funding and the donations from the community beforehand as well.
“It’s just heartwarming to see the donations come in, and we’re very thankful for it,” Wotton said.
The funding is part of the From the Ground Up – Safe Healthy Communities for All program.
» alambert@brandonsun.com