ST. PAUL – This year marks the 40th anniversary for the St. Paul Community Arena Project (CAP), since its inception back in 1983, and New Year’s Eve provided a perfect opportunity to celebrate the milestone.
The CAP Arena’s history dates back to a time when St. Paul’s Polaris Arena – now known as the Clancy Richard Arena – was being booked solid and ice time was hard to come by.
“The kids at that time were going to play hockey at 5:30 or 6 in the morning because there was no available ice time,” recalls Ron Boisvert, chairman of the CAP Arena’s committee.
“So, that was the reason for starting it,” he said.
With the help of the community, and through support, funding, and donations from the local and provincial governments, as well as the business community, the construction of the CAP Arena was made possible.
Forty years later, the CAP Arena continues to serve as an integral component of the recreation community in St. Paul.
On New Year’s Eve, around 200 members of the community gathered for a night of dance and live music, in celebration of CAP Arena’s anniversary, at the St. Paul Rec Centre.
In addition, a fundraiser was also held to purchase a compressor motor “that was ordered a year ago,” said Boisvert. “It finally came in and the cost of that compressor is $24,000.”
Boisvert said a New Year’s fundraiser was scheduled in 2021 but was cancelled due to the pandemic. The event was rescheduled and proved to be a success.
While there is no final tally yet for the money raised during the fundraiser, Boisvert said “we anticipate around $20,000 that we made for that night.”
Boisvert also said that while it was a fundraiser, the event was also an opportunity for family and friends to celebrate the New Year together.
“We were very happy with the event and we’re happy with the support we got from the people that did come out and join us,” said Boisvert.
The CAP committee will hold its annual meeting on Feb. 8 to discuss what is in store for the arena's future.
