During the winter months, skating and curling rinks are the hubs of activity in Saskatchewan.
To help ensure these facilities remain up to standard, the Community Rink Affordability Grant, which is administrated by the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association (SPRA) is available to communities.
This past year, 577 communities have received funding. The program awarded grants of $2,500 per ice surface in 2024-25, this included 378 skating rinks and 199 curling rinks.
"Our province's rinks play such an important role bringing residents together and serving as hubs for their communities," Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Alana Ross said in a press release. "Whether it is hockey, figure skating, curling or other activities, these facilities allow people to stay active year-round. In 2025-26, our government will double the program funding to $3.2 million, increasing the grant to $5,000 per indoor ice surface."
"It is promising to see an ongoing and increased investment in recreation infrastructure through programs like the Community Rink Affordability Grant," SPRA President Darcy McLeod said. "Rinks and other parks and recreation spaces are the heart of our communities, improving health, vitality and quality of life for the people of Saskatchewan."
Communities that received funding for both skating and curling ice surfaces were:
Humboldt, Cudworth, Allan, Watrous, Kelvington, Lanigan, Leroy, Nokomis, Wynyard, Wadena, Englefeld, Lake Lenore, Naicam, Watson, Muenster
Communities that received funding for skating ice surfaces were:
Middle Lake, St. Benedict, Wakaw, Bradwell, Bruno, Colonsay, Meacham, Prud’homme, Simpson, Viscount, Vonda, Young, Archerwill, Drake, St. Brieux
St. Gregor received funding for their curling rink.
The SPRA will be accepting grant applications for 2025-26 in January 2026.
To learn more, visit: https://www.spra.sk.ca/funding/our-grants/.