Moving On: New People, New Places, New Challenges

As you may know, I recently accepted a position with the WHL's Regina Pats to be the team's Media and Communications Manager.  Obviously this means I've had to resign my position with MBC in La Ronge and make the move to Regina.

I'm going to be handling pretty much everything to do with the Pats' media side of things.  Writing press releases, managing media conferences, gameday stuff and everything in between.  I'll be displaying my personable side with sales mixed in as well.  Even with all of that I won't be leaving the booth.  I'll be taking care of colour commentary on all of the Pats radio broadcasts, home and away.  I'll still get to log ridiculous hours on the bus (even more now!) and talk your ear off on the air.

Ice Wolves Yard Sale Fundraiser

Ice Wolves Jail and Bail

The Ice Wolves hold their "Jail and Bail" today to get the weekend started.  While I seem to have avoided incarceration for the time being... MBC announcer, Dale Roth, wasn't so lucky and he'll be occupying the cell at the Mel Heglund Uniplex until noon.  Though he could always buy his way out and exact revenge, who knows?

Here's the video of Dale's "arrest":

You can lock your friends/family/coworkers up for the rest of the day which will conclude with a TGIF barbeque.  Ten dollars gets you a burger plus salads, desserts and all that fun stuff.  Important detail, the bar will be open.

To get someone arrested, call the Ice Wolves office at 425-4141.

-D

Northern Touchdown Football Camp

The Cameco Northern Touchdown Football Camp and Clinic is coming up next weekend (May 25th-27th) in La Ronge.

Kids going into grades 9-12 can take part for no charge and equipment is provided, though organizers say to bring cleats if available.

Alongside the Camp, there's a coaching clinic for adults interested in getting their NCCP Level 1 Football Coaching Certification.  That clinic runs at $150.

Both the Camp and clinic will be held at Senator Myles Venne school with the days getting going in the gym.

To register, youth can pick up forms from Gabe Andrews at Chruchill Community High School.  For more information or to put your name in for the coaching clinic, contact Gabe at gabeandrews@nlsd113.net or give him a call at 425-2255.

Here's what the weekend's schedule looks like.

Friday 5:00 - La Ronge Football Combine

7:00pm-10:00pm Coaching Clinic

Saturday 10:00am - Equipment Fitting. Coaches attend.

12:00pm - Practice #1

4:00pm - Practice #2

6:00pm-9:00pm Coaching Clinic

Sunday 10:00am - Practice #3

2:00pm - Practice #4 and Scrimmage

La Ronge Minor Hockey Golf Tournament

La Ronge Minor Hockey hosts its 1st Annual Golf Tournament tomorrow (May 12th) at Eagle Point Golf Resort in La Ronge.

Entry fees are $65 for adults and $50 for youth 16 and under.  Registration goes from 9:30-10:30 a.m. with a shot gun start at 11.

18 holes, Men's and Ladies' with prizes for Longest Drive and closest to the Pin.  You can grab burgers on the deck for just $5.  All proceeds go towards La Ronge Minor Hockey.

For more info, contact Brandi Bell @ 425-9203

Ice Wolves AGM Approaching

I'm sure you missed me dearly while I was enjoying my two week sojourn from La Ronge.  I had a great time being back in Calgary and benefited greatly from some serious sleeping in.  First order of business on the Ice Wolves front is the AGM coming up Wednesday night.

The meeting goes at seven o'clock at the Wolves den.  Last year, attendance was pretty abysmal, so it would be great to see more people at the meeting.  This year it won't be at the same time as Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final, so it should be a little easier to pull away from the playoffs on TV.

The AGM is a great way to keep tabs on the team and see where things stand financially.  There are plenty of opportunities to get involved with the organization as well.

In addition to the AGM, the Ice Wolves Booster Club has a meeting coming up Tuesday, May 15th at Mistasinhk Place (Boardroom 1 - 7 p.m.).  If you're holding on to that amazing fundraising idea, that's the place you want to be.

In other sports news, Minor Baseball gets going this week in La Ronge.  I make my coaching (assistant coaching) debut working with the PeeWee Miners... I pity them already.

Did anyone see Penticton starting off 0-2 at the RBC Cup?  I definitely didn't.  Should be interesting to see if they can turn it around.

-D

La Ronge Multiplex Survey Results

In late February, the Town of La Ronge released a survey regarding plans to build a new multiplex facility in the northern town.  The survey received over three hundred responses, and though Mayor Thomas Sierzycki didn't release all of the results, he did provide a picture of the respondents' priorities.

It breaks down like this:

Swimming Pool - 78.4%
Ice Facility (Hockey/Curling) - 63.5%
Field House - 55%

The following would be included along with the Field House or as parts of the Rink/Swimming Pool
Fitness Centre - 55.5%
Walking Track - 48%
Conference Centre - 25.8%

Obviously there are a lot of percentages in that list.  They're based off of this question on the survey:


9. What would you be willing to see in the facility?
Rate (1-low, 5-high) Swimming Pool, Rink (Hockey/Curling), track, fitness centre, conference centre, field house


So the process moves on to the many planning stages for a major project like this.  Mayor Sierzycki says there is money set aside for recreation development, which goes towards creating a plan to gain more funds which goes into planning for the facility and so on.  Just from that small section you can kind of see the circles within circles the project will have to navigate until completion.

Town Council will continue to lay groundwork in the coming months before going to a community consultation stage which will help flesh out more details.  There's also the issue of where the new facility will be built.  The town has a couple of locations in mind, but many factors need to be weighed before anything truly moves ahead.  The likely location seems to be near the Co-op in town and Churchill High School so the schools in the area can take advantage of the facilities.

Mayor Sierzycki also commented that the recent projects in Melville and Estevan along with developments in North Battleford certainly makes La Ronge's life easier.  Because of existing plans and the companies involved with those projects, the cost for a similar facility in the North can be taken down somewhat.  The experience gained by firms and the communities involved can help La Ronge through the planning and physical construction phases.

The new project doesn't mean the town is abandoning the Mel Heglund Uniplex, after all, it needs to last until a new rink is constructed.  The recreation department is actively seeking grants to keep the Mel in action as long as possible with the least amount of impact to taxpayers.

It should be interesting to see how it all breaks down over the next few months and hopefully ground can be broken on the project sooner rather than later.

-D

Personal Note: I won't be around the office for a couple of weeks, so the blog will likely be pretty quiet.  Remember, the Ice Wolves AGM is May 9th, so mark that on your calendar.  The Wolves also have their spring camp coming up next weekend down South.  Don't worry if anything happens with the Ice Wolves while I'm away from the station, you can be sure I'll have it up on Twitter.

Ice Wolves Award Winners

The Ice Wolves held their 14th Annual Awards Banquet this weekend.  I'm sure if I had been around this team for the last 14 years I'd be saying, "Man, fifteen years coming up.  Where did the time go?", but I wasn't, so I'll leave that to someone else.  As expected, my MC'ing was much less deadly without the fireworks show.  If you're reading this and thinking, "there wasn't a fireworks show last year."  You're clearly just blocking it out.

It was a great night, highlighted by the players' address given by Captains Aaron Enns and Matt Weisensel.  They were heartfelt and grateful, not to mention, hilarious when both delivered their speeches off of cellphones and problems arose.  Including Skyler Hladun calling Weisensel while he was in the middle of his talk.  It was a pleasure to work with both Weisensel and Enns this season, and really, all of the players.

Bob Beatty took the time to put an emphasis on community support for the team.  While he pointed out he was preaching to the converted, he implored people to spread the word about the Ice Wolves around town.  Attendance wasn't exactly impressive in the playoffs this season, making it clear that support needs to be there all the time, not just when the team is winning Championships.  Beatty said the focus in the dressing room this post season was becoming a difference maker, and he applied it to the community as well.  Beatty also made sure to mention the great billets in town as the players highlighted their impact in exit interviews.

Team President Terry Helary found himself reiterating the previous talks to some degree as he thanked everyone around the organization.  Helary spoke about the team's scouting staff as well as the board and volunteers who make it all happen.  He also invited everyone to come out to the AGM which will likely take place in May.

Gold Medalist Adam Kreek Visits La Ronge

La Ronge hosts Olympic Gold Medalist Adam Kreek today.  He's in town to speak at one of the local high schools and at a public event this afternoon.

Kreek won Gold in rowing at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and has 27 international medals to his name through a 13 year career.  Now he uses his experiences to help as a motivational speaker.

The Public Event starts at 11:30 with a free lunch and Kreek's talk starting at noon, going till around one.

"The main point and the main method that I'm bringing is the power of generosity," Kreek said in a phone interview, "One of the secrets to success is figuring how you can give in your unique way, because we're all unique and have unique skills and talents.  Obviously my background is sports as a sportsman, but there are many different ways to give."

Kreek's Medal

On the note of generosity, donations to the Food Bank and Scattered Sites are appreciated.

Kreek has his Gold Medal with him and there will be an opportunity for attendees to get up close with one of the top prizes in sports.

Coming up in December, Kreek will be rowing across the Atlantic to raise funds for 'Right to Play'.  After today's talk, I'll have a chat with him about that undertaking and some of the other projects he has on the go.

UPDATE:

Adam Kreek During his Presentation

Kreek's talk was informal and really casual in a way that let the audience connect.  Part of this was due to the relatively small event, but a lot of it is Kreek's easy manner and willingness to interact with his audience.

It was an interesting and entertaining presentation to take in.  Kreek headed to the high school after the public event, I'm sure the students enjoyed the chat.


Here's one of the interactive activities from the afternoon:

That's La Ronge Mayor Thomas Sierzycki at the head of the "boat".

The big challenge for Kreek is the upcoming row across the Atlantic.  It's kind of tough to imagine four people on their own in an oversized row boat on the second largest ocean on the Planet.  Kreek and his team will do a trial run coming up this summer when they travel around Vancouver Island.

We'll have to check back in with Adam before the big event.

You can listen to my interview with Adam here.

-D