Mats Sundin joins local kids - Friday October 28

Youth from three local schools in the Flemingdon Park area had the opportunity to test out the new rink at Angela James Arena on Friday.  Students from Gateway Public School, Grenoble Public School and Don Mills Middle School were put through skating drills run by the Toronto Maple Leafs Hockey Development team and special guest coach, former Leafs Captain Mats Sundin.  The event was to celebrate the completion of the Angela James rink refurbishment.

Angela James Arena, which was announced in March as the Team Up Foundation's 25th refurbishment, was the largest donation to date, with $250,000 going into the project.  The scope of work included: new dasher boards, replacing the rubber matting, new bleacher seating, creation of a woman's change room, repairing the lobby ceiling, washroom upgrades, and accessibility accommodations (double doors into player benches, sledge ramp with artificial ice, separate player benches) making this the first city-owned facility to be equipped for sledge hockey.  The donation also contributed to the replacement of the low e-reflective ceiling over the rink.

"Having the opportunity to spend time out of the classroom in a safe, healthy environment is outstanding.  The rejuvenation of this facility in particular is very appealing for kids to be a part of and pleasing to know that the kids in this community are making use of this recreational facility and gravitating towards it," shares David Fry, Phys Ed chair at Grenoble Public School.

The rink hosts two grass roots programs that provide equipment and coaching to youth: the Pro-Action Hockey League and the Toronto Maple Leafs' Hockey in the Neighbourhood.  A portion of our donation, which funded the change of the dasher board system to support sledge hockey, will double the programming opportunities at the rink.  Grenoble Public School also uses the rink for their skating program, which provides skates and helmets to students so they can experience the enjoyment of skating.

** Also check out the article in the North York Mirror.

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