As fall sets in, it’s time to focus on the rink and what is happening there. The town is in the midst of changing things up in the lobby of the hockey arena for the upcoming season. Work is continuing on dressing room sponsorship and hopefully there will be bathroom renovations in the upcoming weeks. An arena concession operator is being sought for the upcoming season.
Over the summer, the curling rink lights were changed over to LED and there is presently work underway on converting the rest of the arena to LED lighting as well.
The good news for rink enthusiasts is the ice will soon be installed. The Midget AA camp is Sept. 22. There is potential for some AA Bantam, AA Peewee and AA Atom games in town.
Ryan Doetzel, director of Parks and Recreation, says, “Regarding the dehumidifier, we have had it running constantly from the end of July and will have it on during the ice making process to ensure that we do not repeat the same issues we experienced last year.”
The community centre hall was booked consistently from May to the end of August for weddings and other events. As well, the arenas were used a few times this summer including UCHS graduation and the U19 Western Canadian banquet.
Residents are excited to see construction has begun on the outdoor recreation venue. Watch for advertising, posters and social media posts on upcoming winter sports registrations as well as what is upcoming at the rink for this season.
The reality of fall came early with some frost delivered. After such a long, hot August farmers were hoping for some warm weather to continue farm operations.
The Elks corn maze near Rockhaven has been a popular day excursion. Bulldog Park Corn Maze is worth checking out.
UCHS Grade 10 student Garin Scherr was part of the silver medal winning Team Sask baseball team competing at nationals in Oshawa, Ont. near the end of August. Garin is now back in class as well as lacing up the skates, affiliated with both the WHL Saskatoon Blades and the Melfort Mustangs of the SJHL.
Kristin Walz, former Unity Panther, was part of the ladies’ fastpitch team, Calihoo Erins, who captured the Canadian National Women’s A Fastpitch title in Saskatoon in August. Walz played much of her minor ball in Unity as a Panther. She was also a part of the University of Calgary Dinos fastpitch team while she obtained a degree there.
Welcome to new Unity Composite High School principal, Aaron Melnyk, who came to Unity from the Macklin school. His wife Andrea is a dental hygienist at the Unity Dental Clinic and his children will be attending Unity Public School.
UCHS is hosting welcome week activities this week, including a chili cook off with half the proceeds benefitting the McCaskill family (former students at the school who lost their dad suddenly and unexpectedly).
UCHS is also in full sports mode as Warrior football will play their second game this weekend, volleyball teams are into regular practices and tournaments and cross-country runners are preparing for the district meet. Also kick-started are SLC, SADD, PSCC and numerous other activities.
UPS held their welcome back pancake breakfast last Friday and the school’s Terry Fox Walk is next on their agenda. Welcome to new vice-principal, Kyle Laturnus.
St. Peter’s School is also in full swing with band and choir restarted as well as the fall sports program.
Unity Minor Football showcased their programs during a night lights game Sept. 6 in their tackle division. The club also chose to give back to the community by donating their half of the 50/50 proceeds to the mental health initiative that is holding their walk this weekend. The flag division of UMF got to take the field in pre-game before the Warrior game.
Warrior parents repaired the bleachers on Warrior Field as well as built, sided and finished the new booth that allows much more room for workers to maneuver.
Hockey registration has taken place. 3-on-3 hockey registration begins Sept. 24.
The Unity Curling Club held their fall meeting Sept. 10 and the start of their season isn’t far off. They remind curlers and potential curlers to start assembling their teams now to participate in week-night leagues, senior leagues or upcoming bonspiels.
Congratulations Vic Kwiatkowski who retired as pharmacist at Delta Co-op after a 45-year career, 39 of those years with Delta Co-op.
Coffee row folks refer to this daily meeting of the minds as “coffee college,” noting that all the best things in life are taught at this table. In a community I used to work, in the rowers would chuckle that they needed the “dean of coffee college” to arrive before any proceedings could take place. There isn’t a set time to arrive, there is no formal invitation, only a tradition and routine each day by those who enjoy sharing the company of others in their community over a cup of coffee. So you can see life is full of fun and activity in Unity and our friends at coffee row sharing this traditional part of our community culture. Until next time …
