A Fort Macleod alumni hockey tournament that raised near $one hundred,000 for charity its first two years has been placed on ice.
Organizers of the Hockey Through the Ages match stated more than a few of things weighed in their choice, consisting of centers now not being available.
Rob Luther, who had the idea to level an alumni tournament and who served on the organizing committee, said response to the information is predictable.
“They’re a bit bit disenchanted,” Luther stated.
When the organization decided in 2017 to level a event for people aged 25 and over who played Minor Hockey or lived in Fort Macleod, they weren’t certain it might be an annual event.
Their modest target was to elevate enough cash to shop for a television for the palliative care software at Fort Macleod Health Centre.
Response to the first match become strong, with 112 players paying $a hundred and fifty apiece to get drafted onto a crew.
The tournament raised extra than $45,000 for palliative care at Fort Macleod Health Centre.
Live and silent auctions raised near $25,000, and the committee acquired a non-public donation of just over $9,000.
Last year organizers needed to work the smartphone nearly until percent drop to get 112 gamers signed up.
Last yr’s event raised $fifty two,000, which became dispensed to several Fort Macleod corporations.
The live and silent auctions raised near $32,000.
The event turned into held in the center of December both years.
When organizers went to book the Fort Macleod and District Community Hall for the cabaret and live auction this year, they located a war.
The Masons had already booked the corridor for Dec. 14 for his or her annual network Christmas dinner.
When the committee inquired about shifting the tournament in advance, they learned the Fort Macleod and District Sports Centre become already booked for Dec. 6-8.
The committee taken into consideration protecting the event the weekend of Dec. 20-22 but quickly discarded the concept.
“The majority of us felt that become too near Christmas,” organizing committee member Scott Norlin said.
The committee determined that taking a destroy could advantage donors who provided strong monetary guide the primary years.
Skipping a year may also benefit gamers, particularly folks who travel to Fort Macleod and ought to pay for transportation, lodging and meals.
Committee member Mike Bourassa said taking a year off may additionally serve to hold participation strong.
“I think if we’ve it each second yr human beings can be asking to play,” Bourassa said. “I think subsequent 12 months we’ll have no hassle filling it.”
The arena and community hall are booked for the weekend of Dec. 18-20, 2020.
Other committee participants are Brian Reach, Ben Paskal, Gage DeGinnus, Cole Archibald, Wes Stockton and Mike Davis.