Submitted
After the renovations throughout the entire Wilkie Saskcan Community Center, after all of us getting back into our rink and seeing the changes, the new paint, and the new railings that surround the beautiful lobby seats, to just being able to sit in our rink and watch our hockey and curling teams showcase their talents, it seemed there was something else that the Wilkie Saskcan Community Center needed.
The Wilkie Curling Rink Lounge went through a whole facelift throughout the construction phase. A wall was taken out to open the lounge, new bathrooms were made larger, new carpet and linoleum went on the floors, and the bar was updated bar. Now one can sit and watch the curlers curl without the wall blocking their view. The renovations gave the curling rink lounge a facelift that deserves an applaud.
During the Wilkie Outlaw senior hockey game, the curling rink lounge opens its doors for anyone wanting a refreshment of any kind and everyone is welcome to come and enjoy the new lounge. People flood at the end of every period to talk about the game and to visit with people they haven’t seen for a while.
With a great hockey spirit amidst the curling rink lounge, they all hurry back as quick as they all came in. The hockey game resumes and the staff prepares for the next whirlwind of visitors to once again arrive.
Helen Urlacher who oversees running the lounge, had an idea for a “live feed” from the arena into the lounge, as some people wanted to finish their refreshment but didn’t want to miss the action on the ice! She remembered how Ryan Kobelsky had been so generous with his time and talents in getting the live feed up and ready for Kraft Hockeyville 2017 announcement for the Top Two winners. She approached him about having a live feed – whether it would be possible and what the cost would be. The idea of the live feed became reality as Ryan put together a package with the cost being very reasonable. Helen gave the presentation to Steven Lutsch, recreation director, and the Wilkie Recreation Board and Town of Wilkie, and talked to the curling club and Outlaws about the idea. Everyone was excited, and she was able with the help of businesses to cover all the costs of the installation of the live feed - Maximum Custom Spraying Aaron Lorenz; Top Gun Ventures Mark Wangler and GrainsConnect.
The first live feed was tested at the Wilkie Outlaws Wing Night on Dec. 23 and was very successful. The feed was put into the lounge for the first game in 2018, much to the delight of everyone!
The support of local and area businesses, the Recreation Board, the Town of Wilkie and clubs have made this addition to the Saskcan Community Centre another first for Wilkie, as a live feed is presently not in any other arenas in our area! This is going to be a great addition to the community center and to the organizations that use the center throughout the year.
Keep watching for more updates on the Live Feed at the Saskcan Community Centre and come out and cheer on our teams! See you are rink!
