Big River First Nation celebrated more than just a WHL exhibition game when they welcomed the Prince Albert Raiders and Saskatoon Blades to the Jim Neilson Sports Complex. It was the culmination of over a year and a half of work on the facility.
The exhibition game also served as a grand opening for the facility, which welcomed hundreds of fans from Big River to see the two geographically closest major junior teams. It was a big day for the community, who turned out in big numbers for the pregame celebration as well.
“It’s wonderful,” said Robert Rabbitskin with Big River Band Council. “Everyone is happy, everyone is out and about, having a burger or a snack. We’ve got door prizes, we’ve got the big game happening here. It’s wonderful.”
Following today’s game, the complex will be open for general use. According to Rabbitskin, the opening of the complex came after a tremendous amount of construction work and is not the only construction going on in the area. The nearby high school is due to be open on September 13 as well.
“We started this, I’d say, about a year and a half ago,” Rabbitskin said. “It ended up to now, so she’s pretty much done, we’re just down to the finishing touches. The school starts with a grand opening on the 13th, and then on the 14th, kids will be in school.”
Among the groups with some input on the facility were the New York Rangers. Jim Neilson played for the Rangers, as well as the California Golden Seals and Cleveland Barrons during his NHL career. He was a member of the Rangers from 1962 to 1974. The Rangers were represented by former NHLer Adam Graves at the event.
“They also got the kids started up with some hockey gear, so they’re all geared up,” Rabbitskin said. “The arena has washers and driers for hockey equipment. The dressing rooms are New York Rangers-style dressing rooms. So whatever is inside the Rangers’ dressing rooms, it’s like that inside this facility as well.”
Members of the Band Council and elders were also on hand for the game, as were politicians from Prince Albert. The Raiders and Blades both opened up their exhibition schedule in the contest with a game at 1:15, following a pregame ceremony and official opening of the complex.
The Raiders and Blades will play two more exhibition games following the contest on Big River First Nation.
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rob.mahon@pattisonmedia.com
On Twitter: @RobMahonPxP
