Mayor Andersen: Kraft Hockeyville Shares Spirit of CAP Arena

The St. Paul CAP Arena has been nominated as a Top 10 Finalist in Kraft Hockeyville’s contest. The winning facility, determined by popular vote, will rely on community spirit and comradery to help drive the votes; a contest fitting for the CAP Arena, explains Mayor of St. Paul, Glenn Andersen.

“Kraft Hockeyville is pretty exciting news for St. Paul,” explains the Mayor, “if you put it into perspective, 3000 communities applied, and we’re in the top 10, so that’s a success already. However, knowing that the project is the CAP arena, which started in the 80’s by a bunch of individuals who put money up from their homes, and took a risk, that’s what CAP is all about. The Community Arena Project.”

Back row (left to right) Dave Austin, Dennis Leroux, Richard Robinson and Frank Robinson Front row (left to right) Bruce Lloy, Ron Boisvert, Don Zarowny and Steve Krim

Mayor Andersen explains the arena, funding and build by community members, is a well-utilized facility and rare for a community of St. Paul’s size to have two arenas. “It’s definitely taken a lot of stress off the Clancy Richard Arena and it’s well-used.” The overflow of hockey players, pond hockey, public skating, and figure skating is better spread out with the second arena in town. Before the CAP Arena the Clancy Richard was an all-hours operation, explains the Mayor. “For a community our size, that second arena is huge. We don’t have the big complexes like some communities have. That arena is supported by the community at whole, the employees for the CAP Arena work for the CAP in the winter and the Town in the summer. So, they get the benefit of having a full-time job. In the past, it wasn’t like that, but today it is and it makes a huge difference.”

I think we have a good shot if we get all off our municipalities in Northern Alberta, and whomever else, supporting us. It’s a great thing for the Lakeland area! – Glenn Andersen Mayor of St. Paul

“It started in the early 80’s and [the CAP Arena] still has the same President as they did back then, Ron Boisvert, 30 years later he’s still there.” It’s the community that drives the facility and keeps it operational. Mayor Andersen can’t imagine going back, “we could have hockey from six in the morning until midnight, like we did when we had one arena.”

It’s a really neat experience and we’re going to work hard for the votes! – Glenn Andersen Mayor of St. Paul

The ever-polite Mayor recognizes each communities achievement in reaching the Top 10 status, “we have some good competition, and their projects are just as important as ours, but if only they knew the history of our arena.” Mayor Andersen is hoping the entire region will support the nomination and vote for the CAP Arena in Kraft Hockeyville’s contest.

Voting opens March 13th. The winner of Kraft Hockeyville receives $100,000 for Arena upgrades and the honour of hosting a pre-season NHL game. As a Top 10 Finalist, The CAP Arena will receive $25,000 for arena upgrades.  To vote or for more on the St. Paul CAP Arena, visit http://khv2016.ca. Show your support & follow the story #KHV_CAPArena