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Central Wisconsin Saints Hockey Association! |
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NHL Grant Info Saints Score! NHL players union gives $100,000 to Saints hockey team. Central Wisconsin Saints Hockey Association receives $100,000 donation from the National Hockey League Player's Association. The definition of a grass-roots organization, the Central Wisconsin Saints Hockey Association prides itself on opening the sport for children of all economic levels. But like any new endeavor, there were considerable costs involved with the startup, including finding and paying for ice time to practice and play games. Those concerns may be behind the Saints, who have come into a financial windfall from a highly unlikely source. Saints officials received word on June 27, 2001 from the NHLPA that their grant request had been accepted. The Goals & Dreams fund allocated $100,000 to the Saints. The money will help pay for construction of a new rink, along with a refrigeration system, Zamboni and lights. In addition, the NHLPA will donate 50 sets of hockey equipment, including 2001 CCM-model skates, sticks, bags and jerseys with the Goals & Dreams logo. "This just confirms we're doing the right thing when the NHLPA supports the project with this kind of money," said Joe Zuniga, president of the Saints. "The Saints have only been in existence for 14 months," added Mike Gross, co-treasurer. The Saints offer an alternative from the existing hockey associations within the area. We have gathered parents and players who have left the game, and captured the attention of those interested in playing the GAME of hockey. Zuniga learned of the Goals & Dreams fund through a magazine article, and he immediately started the wheels turning on attaining a grant. The first step involved drafting a letter for a grant application with the help of Kathy Davies of the Community Foundation of Portage County. Davies' said the Foundation involvement with the Saints basically consists of helping the group set up a fund to handle contributions and acknowledge donations. "Our interest in the Saints came after seeing a release in the Journal announcing they were starting up a new youth hockey organization Davies said. "What attracted us was hearing about how the Saints wanted to provide a youth hockey program available to all youth, no matter their financial status." Goals & Dreams official liked what they read in a letter and send out a grant application to the Saints. "All we want is for every kid to have a chance to play hockey," said Zuniga. "One way or another, we were going to raise the money to pay for the arena if Joe Zuniga and I had to pound on doors ourselves," said George Helbach, vice-president. That type of commitment and community involvement piqued the interest of the Advisory Board of the NHLPA Goals & Dreams fund. The fund was created by the NHL-Players Association to provide up to $15 million to grass-roots hockey programs during a five-year period. Since its inception in 1999, Goals & Dreams has contributed o more that 75 initiatives around the world. Future hockey players have been helped in such places as the Czech Republic, Finland, Romania, Russia and Sweden. Now Arnott, WI can be added to that list. "This is one of the larger donations that we've made," said Devin Smith, program manager for Goals & Dreams. "We just don't throw checks around to anyone who needs help building an arena." With an agreement reached with the Arnott Lions to construct the new arena on a piece of property donated by the Arnott Lions, the Saints will occupy the building from October through March. The remainder of the year, the Lions will have use of the building for family reunions, wedding receptions, Lion events, etc. The Saints estimated total costs for purchasing, transportation and constructing the facility at $300,000. "Obviously, Joe and his group have done a lot of hard work. Their application was one of the better ones we've seen. It was exactly what the Board was looking for," Smith said. "The attitude relayed to me was this group wasn't going to give up on their goal. Hopefully this will help to speed up completion of the project and help kids play hockey." An early November deadline has been established for completion of the arena project - just in time for the next youth hockey season. "This brings us closer to our goal of having the building paid off. Our goal is to be a debt-free operation within two years, and this donation is a big help," said Zuniga. "We're really excited about this thing. This is a godsend to us. The angels are watching over the Saints." Central Wisconsin Saints Hockey Association, Inc PO Box 604, Plover Wi. 54467 Office 715-343-8997 Rink 715-592-5004 |