A raffle ticket could make an outdoor arena a reality in Newmarket

YorkRegion.com
Jan. 31, 2017
Teresa Latchford

Purchasing a raffle ticket will help bring a state-of-the-art outdoor arena to Newmarket.

Recognized as a need in the Town of Newmarket’s recreation master-plan, the construction of an outdoor arena would provide opportunities for children and adults of all ages to play hockey and other sports in a casual, low-to-no cost setting, according to regional councillor John Taylor.

For the past two years he and fellow outdoor arena committee members have been working on ways to fundraise to move the project along more quickly.

“We wanted something that would engage the entire community,” Taylor added. “Getting the community involved not only creates excitement around the prospect of a new facility but it could mean it gets built faster and it could mean the difference between a good facility and a great one.”

A raffle seemed like the perfect fit.

Twenty thousand tickets have been printed that will give buyers a chance to win $15,000 in Upper Canada Mall gift cards, a $6,000 credit to Joia Restaurant or a $5,000 golf package donated by Metroland Media.

The Newmarket Minor Hockey Association, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, is set to kickoff ticket sales on Feb. 4, $10 each or three for $20. Players who sell the most tickets earn a jersey signed by NHL Canadian ice hockey centre Connor McDavid along with an hour on the ice with him.

The Newmarket Skating Club, Newmarket and District Ringette Association and other sport organizations have partnered to sell tickets.

Following that, tickets will be sold at the Upper Canada Mall and other partner locations around town.

The winners will be drawn live by McDavid at the mall on June 17.

“The facility will be a place not only for sport enthusiasts but for everyone to try out sports,” Taylor said. The vision is to have the space programmed with slots for pickup hockey and volunteers introducing people to figure skating or ringette. Further down the line, it is hoped donations will be made to the “equipment bank” so those who don’t have skates or sticks can have the opportunity to try.

For more information, visit newmarketoutdoorarena.com.