Sturgeon Valley Fertilizer Sports Centre celebrates grand opening with two-day community event

By Haylee Winger
The Town of Legal marked a significant milestone with the grand opening of the Sturgeon
Valley Fertilizer (SVF) Sports Centre during a vibrant two-day celebration held on October 3rd
and 4th.
Festivities kicked off on the evening of Friday, October 3rd, with a formal ribbon-cutting
ceremony and speeches, including remarks from Deputy Mayor Andy Beaton. The evening also
featured the symbolic closing of a time capsule, capturing memories for future generations.
Families gathered to enjoy a night filled with family-friendly activities, including glow face
painting, hotdogs, giveaways, and a glow skating party that lit up the new rink. A concession
stand operated throughout the evening, adding to the festive atmosphere.
Celebrations continued on Saturday, October 4th, with doors opening at 10:00 a.m. The day
began with official opening ceremonies and a full schedule of events for all ages. Legal’s Chief
Administrative Officer, Robert Proulx, performed the ceremonial first puck drop, marking the
start of a historic hockey matchup between the Sturgeon Sting’s U11 AA team and the Fort
Saskatchewan Rangers. This game was especially significant, as it was the first AA-level hockey
game Legal has hosted — made possible by the SVF Sports Centre’s new NHL-sized ice surface.
All levels of the Sturgeon Sting AA hockey organization came out to support the event, as the
new facility will now serve as their second ice surface alongside the Morinville Leisure Centre.
Among those in attendance were U15 AA team Captain Mason Prefontaine and Assistant
Captain Luc Cyr, proudly representing their team and community.
The day featured more than just hockey. Guests enjoyed inflatable games, balloon twisting, and a
popular 50/50 draw. Community members John Graham, Gracie Graham, and Sloane Pearce
were among those who took part in the fun. Meanwhile, the Curling Club Lounge offered a space
for socializing and relaxing between activities.
The Town also hosted its annual Meet Your Community event on the curling rink side of the
facility. This year’s showcase included over 20 local community service groups and was
enhanced by the addition of a new 65 x 50-foot concrete refrigeration pad. Among the
participants was Sturgeon County’s Community Safe Facilitator, Jennifer Penner, who was on
hand to engage with residents and provide valuable local information.
The sports-filled day continued with a sledge hockey demonstration in the late morning,
followed by a Sturgeon Fillies game and three community hockey games later in the afternoon,
open to residents aged 18 and over. The celebration concluded with a lively cabaret and food
trucks at the ACFA Community Centre on 51 Avenue, keeping the energy going into the early
hours.
Now officially open to the public, the SVF Sports Centre stands as a new hub for recreation and
community engagement in Legal. The grand opening reflected the town’s strong spirit of

togetherness and its commitment to providing high-quality recreational facilities for residents of
all ages.
For more information about programming and future events at the SVF Sports Centre, residents
are encouraged to contact the Town of Legal or visit the centre directly at 4720-51 Ave.