It was a million dollar day Wednesday for the Credit Union CUPlex.
Several new donations were announced at a Raise the Roof fundraising campaign news conference. Over $1 million in commitments were announced during the event at the RBC Tower, broadcast throughout the region on local radio and TV.
The announcements bring the Raise the Roof committee's fundraising total to over $7.5 million, three-quarters of the way towards meeting their $10 million target.
The grand total announced was $1,010,387, which brought big smiles from several Raise the Roof committee members including co-chairs Heath Gabruch and Rob Rongve. Also on hand for the fundraising update announcement were Mayor Ian Hamilton and several city officials.
"It's a very exciting day," said Gabruch, who noted the "progress has been fantastic" over a short period of time since the launch.
"It just goes to show the momentum is there. People in our community are extremely generous, knowing that the Credit Union CUPlex is a reality."
The largest new contribution announced Wednesday was by the North Battleford Granite Curling Club, with Doug Fehr announcing a commitment of $500,870 towards the Northland Power Curling Rink.
The second largest contribution was made by Battlefords Youth Soccer and Battlefords Senior Soccer with $100,000 going towards the field house. Sherrilyn Phelps of the soccer association made the announcement.
Several other commitments announced were:
$50,000 from Norsask Farm Equipment;
$50,000 from Home Hardware Building Centre North Battleford, with funds going to the field house corridor and to spray features at the Battlefords Co-op Aquatic Centre;
$25,000 from Access Communications, with Martin Smith announcing the commitment would go towards the diving board at the aquatic centre;
$20,000 from Battlefords Community Players to the Dekker Centre for the Performing Arts.
$10,000 by Battlefords Allied Arts Council for the Dekker Centre for the Performing Arts;
$20,000 by Terracap, owners of Frontier Mall, for the family change room of Battlefords Co-op Aquatic Centre;
$20,000 to the timing system at the aquatic centre, made by a local business that wishes to remain anonymous;
$5,000 from Four K Auto towards the curling rink ice scraper;
$1,717 by Brio Fashion Boutique, proceeds raised during their grand opening day;
A contribution from the family of Bill Henderson securing naming rights to the administration office in the aquatic centre, in recognition of his years of service;
$15,000 from Guys Furniture, going to furniture in the buildings;
$50,000 from law firm Migneault Greenwood to the aquatic centre's steam room;
$5,000 from Doug's Paint Shoppe for the Dekker Centre;
$20,000 from Nu Tec Embroidery for the curling rink;
$25,000 from law firm Cawood Demmans Baldwin Friedman towards the aquatic centre;
$30,000 from Kramer Auction Sales;
$25,000 from Sobeys;
$25,000 from Jean Walker; and
$7,800 raised through the monthly contribution plan towards various items in the CUPlex.
Further commitments are expected to be announced over the next several weeks as the CUPlex fundraising campaign continues.
The Battlefords Tribal Council, which last year announced $2.75 million towards the project, plans their own announcement Nov. 4. Efforts to reach the $10 million target set for the fundraising committee will also continue, with Gabruch saying they hope to hit the fundraising target by the end of the year.
