Rink the River shinny raises $5,700 for Souris Bark Park

Friday, 04 March 2022 10:00

Rink the River shinny raises $5,700 for Souris Bark Park

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Organizers and members of the champion Reston River Rats celebrate the first ever championship at Rink the River. (L-R): Bruce Swaenepoel (organizer), Team River Rats Riley Bodin, Cody Bertholet, John Patmore, Zack Hodgson, organizers Kolton Kowalchuk, Blair Penno.

Souris’s inaugural “Rink the River” shinny tournament held on Saturday, February 26 was an incredible success. The river and river bank were alive with people from the start time of the first puck drop at 11:00am to the final game at 7:00pm.
The teams came from Brandon, Hartney, Reston, Morden and Souris.
In addition to the players, there were many spectators at the event. The food tent offered hotdogs and hamburgers, another fundraiser for the Souris Dog Park, sweet treats from 49 Degrees and silent auction prizes. There was a 50/50, raffle and door prize.
The weather was perfect for the event, which cast a festive, celebratory feeling throughout the day. Fire pits warmed those who started to feel a bit of a chill.

Volunteer Cassie Quadrelli enthusiastically stated, “I think we had a terrific turnout and I’m certain that we were able to fundraise a good chunk towards the dog park. It was an awesome day all round!”
Event coordinators Blair Penno, Kolton Kowalchuk and Bruce Swaenepoel spent many hours prepping the ice on the river rinks prior to the event with a Zamboni they made for the occasion.
The Reston River Rats were the side A champions with Taxi Squad from Brandon the runner-up and the Terrence Terrorists from Souris the side B winners.
The shinny and the BBQ raised over $5,700 for the Souris Bark Park.
“We think it went well. It was a great day and we will definitely be back next year,” reflected Penno.

by KAREN KEMPE, Recorder staff

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