It was another successful year when it came to the Community Rink Affordability Grant program here in Saskatchewan. Over 20 west-central skating and curling surfaces were included as part of the 585 total also benefitting from the CRAG program in 2023-24.

The grant totals came in at $2500 for each ice surface, many communities getting funding for both their skating and curling facilities for a total of $5000. Some communities applied for multiple ice surfaces, and the local allocations are as follows:

  • Beechy - $5000
  • Biggar - $5000
  • Brock - $5000
  • Delisle - $5000
  • Dinsmore - $5000
  • Dodsland - $2500 (skating)
  • Eatonia - $2500 (skating)
  • Elrose - $5000
  • Eston - $5000
  • Fiske - $5000
  • Harris - $2500 (skating)
  • Herschel - $2500 (skating)
  • Kerrobert - $5000
  • Kindersley - $7500 (two skating)
  • Kyle - $5000
  • Landis - $5000
  • Leader - $5000
  • Lucky Lake - $2500 (skating)
  • Luseland - $2500 (skating)
  • Macklin - $5000
  • Milden - $2500 (skating)
  • Outlook - $5000
  • Perdue - $5000
  • Plenty - $2500 (skating)
  • Rosetown - $5000
  • Unity- $5000
  • Wilkie - $5000

Often times these facilities are community ran, one example being in Dinsmore. Volunteers at the Dinsmore Memorial Arena show a great amount of gratitude every year for the program that keeps their local arena alive and well.

"“Our small village curling rink would not be in operation without the assistance of the CRAG funding," Village of Dinsmore Administrator Jodie Beattie-Flath stated in the release. "A small group of volunteers puts in the ice and engaged youth teaching them about the process involved. School curling teams and physical education classes have been able to practice; the annual high-school bonspiel was held; community members have volunteered to engage with youth in a learn to curl program; and young and old have come together to enjoy evenings of activity and socialization.”  

A total of 1.6 million is invested into the CRAG program annually. The total breakdown for this year shows that of the over 500 grants, 382 were for skating surfaces, and the other 203 for curling surfaces.

“These facilities play such an important role as hubs for gathering and physical activity." said Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Laura Ross. "These rinks receive tremendous community support at every level and are well-used by families, youth and seniors and contribute to our quality of life here in Saskatchewan.”

The Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association (SPRA) is the group responsible for administering the grants that help offset operating costs.  More comments, along with the full list of grants is available through the government release here.