Christian Apostolovski Meridian Source Photo
The winners of the Good Deeds Cup continue their good deeds over two years after winning the trophy.
The U13 2021/22 female Blazers hockey team has made a $90,000 donation to the Cenovus Energy Hub. The money comes from the team winning the 2022 Chevrolet Good Deeds Cup which awarded the team $100,000.
The Blazers took the initiative to investigate the accessibility features of nearby ice rinks and provided feedback to the City of Lloydminster. The money will be going towards inclusivity and accessibility at the Cenovus Energy Hub.
There are a number of upgrades to the facility including, barrier free spectator seating on the suite, concourse and ice levels, and an accessible warm viewing area, telescopic railings to be installed on the concourse level of both arenas, designed to accommodate standing and wheelchair viewing and shower stalls having floor to ceiling partition separation and a barrier free shower stall in each dressing room.
The Blazers are the first female team to have won the Good Deeds Cup. The team began its venture after discovering that a parent on the team who uses a wheelchair was unable to access the timekeeping area at a local arena.
“I did it for Maddi and her family, but I like that it ended up being for everyone,” said Lily Rousson, from the winning U13 female Blazers team.
“I learned the most when I tried getting around the arena with the wheelchairs and the walkers.”
Rousson goes on to explain that she didn’t know how hard it was for people to get around before experiencing it first-hand.
Additional accessibility features were discussed and are to be added following a Give Sledge a Try para hockey event which saw the Blazers partner with para hockey club Cut Knife Sledgehammers.
Penalty boxes will accommodate two sledges each and the players boxes will incorporate different flooring, extra space to accommodate sledges and specialized rink boards for para-hockey players to access the ice.
The remaining $10,000 from the $100,000 good deeds cup cash prize was donated to inclusion Lloydminster’s recreation program for their collaboration in the grant process
Related: U13 Blazers help kick off the seventh season of the Chevrolet Good Deeds Cup
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