Local arena is ready for another 30 years of hockey as Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse and Hockey Canada unveil upgraded facility and reveal the next two arenas to be renovated in the City of Toronto and Ottawa, Ontario
To view the Enriched Media Release, click here: http://smr.newswire.ca/en/lowes-companies-canada/lowes-maple-lions-arena-renovations
TORONTO, Sept. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ - Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse, in partnership with Hockey Canada, unveiled the final renovations to the Maple Lions Arena in Maple, Ontario today and announced the next two rinks to be renovated for 2012 in the City of Toronto and Ottawa, Ontario.
The $50,000 grant, provided by Lowe's to the Maple Lions Arena, was used to facilitate the renovation of the rink which was built in 1974, with no refurbishments since 1988. The project took place June fourth and fifth, with Lowe's employees, community volunteers and HGTV personality, Bryan Baeumler taking part. The work completed included the installation of high-efficiency lighting and plumbing fixtures, new spectator benches and the painting of over 14,250 square feet throughout the facility. These upgrades will contribute to the arena being more efficient to run, which will in turn lower its operating costs and save tax payers' money.
"The Maple Lions Arena has been a staple in our community for over 30 years and to see the community rally together to make sure it stays that way is truly inspiring," says Maurizio Bevilacqua, mayor of the City of Vaughan. "The leadership Lowe's has displayed to make this project happen is exactly the type of life skills we hope our kids will learn while playing hockey here. With these new renovations the arena can continue to host minor hockey for many years to come."
The Maple Lions Arena is the first of two projects to be completed in connection with the Lowe's and Hockey Canada Community Rink Renovation Program. After working with Hockey Canada to identify facilities in need of upgrades, Lowe's revealed the next two rinks to be renovated in 2012 are the Tom Brown Arena in Ottawa, Ontario and the Centennial Arena located in the City of Toronto, Ontario. Both rinks were built over 30 years ago and have had minimal upgrades since.
"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. "The Maple Lions 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. We are excited to see the successful completion of this renovation and look forward to renovating rinks in Toronto and Ottawa next year."
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.
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 28 stores in Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewanwith 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
