A fundraiser held on Saturday brought the community together to support the development of a new skate park in Bienfait.
The event featured a pancake breakfast donated by Southern Plains Co-op, an exhibition game between U-7 teams, and an evening hockey match between the Bienfait Bulldogs and the Bienfait Fire Department, which ended in a tie.
The ceremonial face-off was Daniyale Woolsey of the Bulldogs, Bill Mann from the Bienfait Memorial Arena and Riley Starling from the Bienfait Fire Department.
“It went off without a hitch, and the whole day went through very smoothly,” said Daniyale Woolsey, a coordinator with the event. One of the highlights was seeing the strong community turnout. “We had more spectators at that game than I think I’ve seen in the rink all season.”
The fundraiser raised significant funds, with the 50/50 draw alone bringing in $800. While a final total isn’t confirmed, the coordinator estimated, “I wouldn’t be surprised if we raised $2,000.”
The Bienfait Centennial Parks and Rec Board is leading the skate park project, with hopes to have it completed by late summer or early fall. The group has applied for fiveseveral grants, which are currently under review, and local businesses have already started donating.
“There’s lots of kids that are interested in BMX, skateboarding, or roller derby,” Woolsey said. “Whether they’re from Bienfait, Estevan, or the surrounding areas, they’ll be able to use that.”
The event also reflects a broader push to add more recreational opportunities in the community. “I think you want to have a community where you want to raise your kids in, and I think this is a great addition to that.”
Given the success of the fundraiser, organizers are considering making the hockey game an annual event. “We’ve kind of thrown it around beforehand… and we’ll probably continue to do it.”