Fire Claims Rink, Hall at Ochapowace

Fire Claims Rink, Hall at Ochapowace

Thursday, March 31, 2011 at 15:32

The Ochapowace First Nation is reeling after a fire Thursday morning claimed the local hockey rink and community hall.

Nobody was injured in the fire, but Cheryl Thomas, the Director of Sports, Health and Recreation for Ochapowace, points out the blaze claimed a centre point for the community.

Thomas says that was where everyone spent their evenings, and notes it housed youth programs, 8 minor hockey team, a senior team, a recreation team and a junior team played there as well.

This year, the band invested $250,000 into renovations for the arena after receiving a grant to pay for the upgrades.

Arrangements are being made with the community of Whitewood to set up ice times for tournaments and practices that were to be hosted at the rink.