by Kim Kilpatrick
June 9, 2011 5:59 PM
When people in the United States think about their brethren north of the Canadian border, there are a few things that typically (all be it stereotypically) come to mind: a certain kind of bacon, ice hockey, ice skating, and curling. Three out of the four (and I don’t mean the bacon) all require one thing—ice.
Many communities in the United States have local establishments for kids and adults to enjoy playing their favorite sports, and Canadian communities are no different. In Leaside, a community in the Toronto, Ontario area, that place is called the Leaside Arena and is a part of the Leaside Memorial Community Gardens.
Currently the Arena is home to a single ice-pad and curling ring along with a swimming pool and auditorium. As the community has grown, and hence the interest in ice-related programs, it has become difficult to accommodate the demand.
“We need more ice in Toronto for minor hockey and figure skating. The Leaside Arena expansion project is ready to go. We just need to demonstrate that the community is behind it so we can get this rink approved and built,” said Brian Burke, president and general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs as well as a resident of Leaside.
Costs to build a much needed additional ice pad are estimated to be around $9.5 million. The city of Toronto has said that the Arena’s board can borrow up to $7 million off of future earnings, but that it will need to come up with the remaining $2.5 million itself.
That is where a local self storage facility, All Canadian Self Storage, has decided to step in. Rather than let their neighbors go without a much needed place to skate and play hockey, the good people at All Canadian Self Storage have joined forces with the Leaside Arena Expansion Project and other local businesses to help raise the necessary funds.
As part of their efforts to help with the project they hosted a family-style barbecue as a fundraiser on June 9. People in attendance got to enjoy some free barbecue, ice cream, and soft drinks. Kids got to enjoy a variety of activities like face painting and a bouncy castle.
Being a part of an event like this is a smart marketing tactic. One of the best ways to endear a company like a self storage facility to the community (over its competitors) is to help the community enjoy something it loves (like hockey and ice skating).
Sources Used:
”All Canadian Self Storage of Toronto Hosts Fundraiser for Arena Expansion.” Inside Self Storage; 07 June 2011.
“Fundraising barbecue for Leaside Arena campaign slated.” InsideToronto.com; 06 June 2011.
Leasidearena.com