MINDEMOYA—Mindemoya and area community is getting together to host a fundraising pancake supper April 1 to help save the Mindemoya arena.
“As members of the community, we want to show council that our community is one thousand percent behind the Mindemoya arena, and that we want to do what we can to help council to cover the costs to make the arena usable this summer,” stated community member Marie Ford who, along with Karlene Scott, are spearheading the event. “We want the arena to be usable for the summer for the many events that are taking place this summer such as the Pearson Cup, Manitoulin Special Olympics baseball tournament, Ribfest, Manitoulin Island Cycling Advocates major event in June, and to make sure the 2025-2026 minor hockey league season can be held in the arena.”
“There are 80-plus kids in the community wondering where they are going to be playing hockey this season,” said Ms. Ford. “Having to play in another arena changes the fabric of minor hockey for these kids.” She explained the Providence Bay arena, while being a beautiful arena, has an ice surface too small for older kids to play.
“We want to work with council and help to make sure the arena remains open; that’s what we are attempting by holding this pancake supper,” said Ms. Ford. “It is amazing to watch the community come together, rally and to help out and fundraise to keep the arena open.”
Ms. Ford noted, “the community response to the pancake dinner has been overwhelming to donating toward the event, such as donating sausages and bacon. This includes Marie Nagler whose dad donated the property the arena is on. She called this morning and said that she wants to donate toward this supper because of the incredible meaning the arena has to her.”
“And people from other communities have reached out to donate toward the supper as well, to make sure the arena stays open,” said Ms. Ford.
“What we need right now is for people to come out and buy a pancake dinner,” said Ms. Ford.
The Save the Mindemoya Arena Pancake Supper will take place April 1 from 5-7 pm at the Freshwater Community Church in Mindemoya. Admission for the dinner is $20 for adults, $10 for kids 12 and under, and free for youngsters under five.
