WEEKLY PRESS – JANUARY 2, 2008

Welcome to 2008! As we begin another year in our community, I’m sure each of us has a bit of renewed vigor for improving something personal in our lives. It might be anything from addressing our fitness level, our ability to deal with certain issues in our lives or just about anything. Whatever it is, I wish you good fortune and success in reaching any goals you may set.

At the Sportsplex, the Board of Directors and staff are once again committed to bringing you the best facility possible in every way, including its cleanliness and orderliness, its level of organized structure, and its vision for the future. To this end, I hope you find your time at the Sportsplex safe, fun and without any negative incidents, as that is our objective – leisure time is such a valued commodity, we understand our important role in delivering quality in this regard.

The Board of Directors are also committed to working diligently at providing an expanded facility that will include new facilities that many, many people will be able to enjoy for years to come. From the feedback they’ve been getting (and from the “buzz” heard at the Sportsplex), we are clearly going in the right direction. We’ve got some momentum on our side right now, and hopefully nothing detracts from that momentum. As is well-known, it’s always difficult to get back to your original speed if you’ve been derailed. The Province is very supportive of our current direction regarding expansion, so we are optimistic that we will soon hear very positive news about the Province financially supporting our community. If anyone in the community has the ability to affect the Province’s potential support, we would ask that you use that ability to help the Expansion project so that the majority of the community can benefit from the wonderful new facilities planned.

Upcoming events include the Junior Penguins playing on January 10 (vs. Sackville Blazers), January 17 (vs. Cumberland County Blues), and January 24 (vs. Bay Ducks). As well, we’ve got the 18th Annual Department of Transportation Hockey Tournament, organized once again by Gerrard Long. On a final note, please stay tuned for a very important announcement regarding an opportunity to give tribute to a member of our community (we’ll say a lot more about this in the upcoming weeks).

Our Parent and Tot skates (Wednesdays, 10am), our Adult Skates (Wednesdays, 11am) and our Public Skates (Thursdays 3pm to 5pm and Sundays 1pm to 3pm) will continue until the ice comes out in early April.

Happy New Year to everyone!

For more information, please email ehsportsplex@ns.aliantzinc.ca or call 883-9906.  As well, visit our website at www.easthantssportsplex.ca.

WEEKLY PRESS – JANUARY 9, 2008

In my article last week, I had mentioned an upcoming event that would pay tribute to a member of our community. That person was David Kjarbo, who at the time of writing that last article, was in very ill health from cancer. It was anticipated that David would be able to attend this event to see firsthand how much the hockey community and the community at large appreciated everything he did. Unfortunately, David passed away on January 2, much to the regret and sadness of the many, many people whose lives David touched almost on a daily basis. I know that Jeff Gill and his team at The Weekly Press will be providing lots of information regarding David’s contributions, so I’ll try not to duplicate too much in my writings.

Last Thursday, there was a meeting of interested (and motivated) community members to discuss just what we could do to ensure that the community had an opportunity to show their appreciation and respect for David’s long-time contributions. Plans were put in place to have a “Memorial Celebration” in honour of David’s life on Thursday, January 24, 6:00pm, at the East Hants Sportsplex. It is anticipated that the facility will be filled to overflowing with people that want an opportunity to pay their respects to David and his family. As well, a DAVID KJARBO FOUNDATION will be created where through the profits of annual fundraisers, skates will be purchased for underprivileged children. There will be other recognitions given to this very selfless man, and these will unfold over the next few weeks. I think you can judge a community by how it treats those in need, and by that standard, I know ours is a wonderful community indeed. Debbie, David’s wife, is extremely touched by the efforts made thus far on David’s behalf, and it certainly has provided her some solace in her time of need.

Virtually every one of the organizations, teams and groups that David worked with wanted to be involved in a major way in every aspect of the plans, including offering financial assistance to the family. At the above-mentioned meeting, individuals couldn’t put their hands up quick enough to volunteer to play a role over the next few weeks. The Sportsplex, The Weekly Press, Minor Hockey, the Gents League, the Molson League, the NS Junior League, the NS Junior C League, the Junior Penguins, the Bay Ducks of the Junior League and there will be many others added to this list over the next little while.

Donations to the DAVID KJARBO MEMORIAL FUND can be made at any branch of Scotiabank. I’d be pleased to answer any questions in regards anything related to the plans being made with David in mind.

 

Upcoming events include the Junior Penguins playing (all at 7:30pm) on January 10 (vs. Sackville Blazers), January 17 (vs. Cumberland County Blues), and January 24 (vs. Bay Ducks). As well, we’ve got the 18th Annual Department of Transportation Hockey Tournament, organized once again by Gerrard Long, on January 11 12 and 13.

Our Parent and Tot skates (Wednesdays, 10am), our Adult Skates (Wednesdays, 11am) and our Public Skates (Thursdays 3pm to 5pm and Sundays 1pm to 3pm) will continue until the ice comes out in early April.

For more information, please email ehsportsplex@ns.aliantzinc.ca or call 883-9906.  As well, visit our website at www.easthantssportsplex.ca