Rockyford Arena upgrades benefit community

By Brady Grove, Times Reporter

The arena is often a hub in a Canadian community, and no one knows that better than the folks who utilize the Rockyford Arena, one of the busier arenas in Wheatland County.
Recently, the arena received some much-needed upgrades, including a wheelchair viewing area, new bleachers, and the conversion of two old dressing rooms, one into a wheelchair-accessible washroom and the other into a new referee’s room.
“We’ve had people in wheelchairs who were not able to get a good view of the ice to watch their family members play,” said Rockyford Ag Society past president Darcy Koester. “It was something that needed to be provided.”
Making the arena more wheelchair accessible was a top priority and included installing a ramp, a wider door and three spots for viewers. The wheelchair viewing area went hand-in-hand with the upgrades to the bleachers.
According to Koester, the old bleachers were breaking down with cracks and were sagging. They were removed with the assistance of 40 volunteers and replaced throughout the summer of 2018. The new bleachers should be able to handle more wear and tear, he said, and will hopefully last the life of the arena.
The new converted washrooms were made to be wheelchair accessible to improve the services for potential spectators. Up until now, the washrooms being used were the curling rink washrooms which were not handicapped accessible.
“This was long overdue. It was much needed to add some washroom facilities,” said Koester.
The ref’s and coaches got the other converted room which was a big step up for the people wearing stripes. The previous ref’s room was a tiny cold room on the side of the rink with no sink, toilets or shower.
The arena is home to many users, including seven teams from the Rockyford Minor Hockey Ringette Association, five from Strathmore Ringette Association, seven local adult teams and one non-local team.
The facility has been very busy over the 2018-19 season and, according to Rockyford Arena representative Pam Seeley, the arena has hosted nine minor hockey and ringette tournaments including two levels of ringette provincials and one round of provincial playdowns.
The ice is used by all age groups and also hosted two one-day charity tournaments for adults, but there could be more booked for late in the season.
The projects were constructed and completed from April to September 2018 while the ice was out.
The upgrades were funded by several groups, including $26,000 from Rockyford Lions Club steak and lobster night and community auction, $50,000 from a Wheatland community enhancement grant, and just under $72,000 from the Alberta community facility enhancement program.
“We put a lot into it over the last 20 years and this kind of finishes it off,” said Koester. “Everything that needed to be upgraded is now done.”