Municipal Leaders Rally Behind Spencerville Arena Hockeyville Nomination

Municipal leaders from across North and South Grenville will gather Saturday morning at the Alaine Chartrand Community Centre in Prescott in a coordinated regional show of support for the Spencerville Arena’s Kraft Hockeyville nomination.

Saturday, February 21, 2026
9:00 a.m.
Alaine Chartrand Community Centre
900 Sophia Street, Prescott

Leaders from Augusta Township, the Municipality of North Grenville, the Town of Prescott and the Township of Edwardsburgh Cardinal are expected to attend and offer brief remarks before signing a regional banner in support of the 60-year-old arena.

While located in Spencerville, the arena has long served families, teams and community programs from across municipal boundaries, reinforcing its role as a shared hockey hub for the broader region.

Deputy Mayor Steve Dillabough of the Township of Edwardsburgh Cardinal expresses his gratitude for the support from our neighbours:

“The Spencerville Arena ignites the kid in me,” said Deputy Mayor Dillabough. “I learned my life lessons on that ice. My wife and kids skated there, and now I walk through those doors with my heart on my sleeve watching my grandkids play. It’s more than a rink. It’s our community hub, and I am grateful to see our neighbouring municipalities standing with us to help secure its future for generations to come.”

On Thursday, MPP Steve Clark added his signature to the banner to demonstrate his support for the nomination.

If selected as Kraft Hockeyville, the Spencerville Arena would receive $250,000 in upgrades and the opportunity to host an NHL pre-season game. Potential improvements include accessibility enhancements, facility upgrades and infrastructure improvements to extend the life of the arena.

Community members are encouraged to submit stories through the Kraft Hockeyville website (krafthockeyville.ca) describing our community’s passion for hockey, why the Spencerville Arena is important to them and their families, and how $250,000 in upgrades could improve the facility. Story submissions are a key component of the nomination process.

The event will begin at 9:00 a.m. with brief remarks from participating municipal representatives, followed by the banner signing. The banner will remain on display at the ACCC until 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, providing residents and arena users the opportunity to stop by, sign and show their support. Following the event, the banner will return to Spencerville and remain available throughout the remainder of the nomination and rally phase, which runs until March 1.

Regional leaders share their support

“On behalf of Council and the Town of Prescott, we are proud to host the Banner Signing Event at the Alaine Chartrand Community Centre (ACCC) in support of the Spencerville Arena Rally through the Kraft Hockeyville campaign. While the rally shines a spotlight on the arena in the Township of Edwardsburgh Cardinal, this effort truly represents the strength and spirit of our entire region.

Communities across South Grenville come together when it matters most, and this campaign is a perfect example of that collaboration. We are excited to welcome residents, families, and hockey fans to Prescott to show their support, sign the banner, and help demonstrate why our local arenas are so important to community life.

Together, we can rally for the Spencerville Arena and showcase the passion, pride, and teamwork that define our communities.”

Mayor Gauri Shankar, Town of Prescott

“Augusta Township Council is proud to support the Township of Edwardsburgh Cardinal and the Spencerville Arena in their Kraft Hockeyville nomination. We are pleased to stand behind this bid and celebrate the strength of our local hockey community. The Edwardsburgh Cardinal community has worked tirelessly on this application, and the incredible support and submissions from local residents show just how much pride and dedication they have for their arena and hockey programs.”

Mayor Jeff Shaver, Augusta Township

“For decades, North Grenville players, coaches and families have relied on the Spencerville Arena for ice time, development and opportunity. From minor hockey and women’s recreational leagues to competitive girls’ programs, this rink has supported generations of athletes. Now it’s our turn to support Spencerville.”

Councillor Deb Wilson, Municipality of North Grenville