Local arena is ready for another 30 years of hockey as Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse and Hockey Canada Foundation unveil newly-upgraded facility
To view the Enriched Media Release, click here: http://smr.newswire.ca/en/lowes-companies-canada/calgary-arena-scores-with-rink-renovations
CALGARY, Sept. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ - Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse, in partnership with Hockey Canada, unveiled the final renovations to the Frank McCool Hockey Arena in Calgary, Alberta today. The $50,000 grant, provided by Lowe's, was used to facilitate the renovation of the arena, which was built in 1976 and has not been upgraded since.
The renovation project took place over the weekend of May 28-29 with Lowe's employees, community volunteers, business partners and HGTV personality Brian Baeumler taking part. The many renovations included the construction of a new women's dressing room and upgrades to the men's dressing room, in addition to painting and installation of high-efficiency lighting fixtures. These renovations will contribute to more efficient operating, which will in turn lower the arena's operating costs.
"Hockey is an integral part of every community across Canada, but all too often rinks are unable to attain proper funding to keep them in working order," says Bob Nicholson, President, Hockey Canada. "The commitment Lowe's is making to our communities allows Calgary minor hockey teams to continue to have a safe place to practice, while ensuring Frank McCool Arena is able to continue hosting minor hockey for many years to come."
Frank McCool Arena is the first of two projects in connection with the Lowe's and Hockey Canada Community Rink Renovation program. Over the next five years, Lowe's will invest more than $500,000 in grant money to refurbish two rinks in need per year and help rebuild the infrastructure of hockey in Canada. The initiative benefits the many minor hockey teams in Lowe's communities and encourages participation from municipalities, Lowe's employees and partners alike.
"Seeing this program come to life reminds me why I am proud to be part of the Lowe's organization," says Alan Huggins, president, Lowe's Canada. "Frank McCool Arena was in dire need of renovations and with our wide variety of products, assortment of vendor partners and dedicated employees; Lowe's is in a unique position to help update these hockey rinks across the country."
With their home improvement background and a history of strong community involvement, Lowe's partnership with Hockey Canada was a natural fit. Many arenas across Canada were funded by the Centennial Fund Program back in 1967 and have not seen funding since. Hockey Canada, with its deep connection to grassroots hockey and dedication to growing Canada'sgame, will continue to work with Lowe's to help identify the arenas that need refurbishments the most. The selection process is currently underway for the next two rinks to be the focus of the 2011-12 rink renovation program.
About Lowe's
Founded in 1946 and based in Mooresville, N.C., Lowe's is the second-largest home improvement retailer in the world, serving approximately 15 million customers a week in its more than 1,700 stores in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Lowe's Companies Canada, ULC first opened Canadian stores in December 2007 and now operates 27 stores in Ontario and Alberta with more than 4,500 employees company-wide. In 2005, Lowe's announced plans to open its first stores in the Greater Toronto Area, with as many as 100 stores across Canada over time.
SOURCE Lowe's Canada
Image with caption: "Lowe's team and volunteers build the first Women's Change Room at Frank McCool Hockey Arena. (CNW Group/Lowe's Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20110910_C2134_PHOTO_EN_3029.jpg
Image with caption: "Lowe's volunteer renovating the Men's Change room at Frank McCool Hockey Arena. (CNW Group/Lowe's Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20110910_C2134_PHOTO_EN_3030.jpg
Video with caption: "Video: Lowe's and Hockey Canada unveil newly renovated FrankMcCool Arena in Calgary, Alberta". Video available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/cgi-bin/playback.cgi?file=20110910_C2134_VIDEO_EN_3033.mp4&posterurl=http://photos.newswire.ca/images/20110910_C2134_PHOTO_EN_3033.jpg&clientName=Lowe%27s%20Canada&caption=Video%3A%20Lowe%27s%20and%20Hockey%20Canada%20unveil%20newly%20renovated%20Frank%0D%0AMcCool%20Arena%20in%20Calgary%2C%20Alberta%0D%0A&title=Lowe%27s%20%26%20Hockey%20Canada%20unveil%20newly%20renovated%20Frank%20McCool%20Arena
