The minor hockey association using soybeans to help with arena repairs
The St. Eustache Minor Hockey Association (STEMHA) found an innovative way to raise money for arena repairs – soybeans.
Over the past growing season, the group grew and harvested a soybean crop, with the proceeds of their sales going to a number of repairs at the St. Eustache arena.
Adam Legault, the equipment manager for STEMHA, said they got the idea after hearing about other communities taking on similar fundraisers.
From there, the association had to find a piece of land to grow their crop.
“First off, you need a piece of dirt, so our president Adam Dyck reached out to the R.M. of Cartier. We knew they had a piece of land, 120 acres, attached to the landfill site,” he said.
“So we approached the R.M. and basically asked them if they would lease us the land for a cost of $0, with the understanding that we would put all the proceeds towards fixing the arena and upgrading the arena in St. Eustache. So, that’s how it began.”
Source: Facebook/St. Eustache Minor Hockey Association
Legault said a number of different sponsors donated funds and supplies, so the association could keep the costs to a minimum and raise as much funds as possible. This includes soybean seeds donated from Richardson Pioneer in Starbuck and equipment from AgWest Ltd.
Legault noted that board members, non-board members and the minor hockey players all came together to make the project happen.
“When we took on this project, I wasn’t sure how it was going to go, but after approaching many of our sponsors, everybody hopped on board and they made this process super easy,” he said.
“It was a lot easier than expected just because of the generous support from our sponsors.”
Legault noted this summer’s dry conditions caused the crop to be poor. However, the association still managed to raise $20,000 in sales – a number they hope to increase through crop insurance.
“We also have crop insurance so that will help us raise quite a few more funds,” he said.
“As far as the soybean sales, we were a little over $20,000 in soybean sales. We hope to almost double that with crop insurance.”
Legault said the proceeds will go to a number of different repairs at the arena including upgrades to the washrooms and ice plant.
“There’s no shortage of projects within the arena,” he said.
“The roof needs fixing, some entry and exit doors need repairs, we’d like to upgrade to LED lighting. I guess the list goes on and on.”
Legault noted that Cartier has offered up the land for the 2022 growing season, so the association plans on taking on the fundraiser again.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.