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
BREAKING Quebec judge orders bus driver to stand trial for 2023 daycare crash deaths
A judge has ordered a Quebec man to stand trial on charges of first-degree murder in the deaths of two children killed when a bus rammed into a Montreal-area daycare last year.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Trudeau's latest pre-budget pledge targets millennial moms, vowing $1B in loans for more child-care spaces
The federal government is launching a new loan program to help child-care providers in Canada expand their spaces, and will be extending further student loan forgiveness and training options for early childhood educators, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Thursday.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Krispy Kreme doughnuts coming to McDonald's in U.S., but not Canada
Canadians will be missing out on a sweet new partnership between McDonald's and Krispy Kreme, which will see doughnuts available at McDonald's locations across the U.S. by the end of 2026.
Calgary officer charged after allegedly assaulting handcuffed man
A Calgary police officer has been charged after allegedly assaulting a handcuffed man two years ago.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
How do you navigate the social media minefield with your kids?
Growing fears about social media's harm have sparked lawsuits against social media companies from hundreds of school districts in the United States and now Canada. CTVNews.ca wants to know whether your children are addicted to social media or if you have concerns about their usage of platforms such as Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok and X.