Since it’s construction in 1929, Rutherford Rink has been the home to the Huskies hockey program. However, it has come time for an upgrade.

In a media event held on the morning of Oct. 13, the University of Saskatchewan announced their Home Ice campaign, which will be overseeing the implementation of the new facility. This new facility will be located near the corner of Preston Avenue and College Drive, south of the Saskatoon Field House. The plans boast twin ice surfaces, two levels, increased spectator seating and a dressing room area, as well as a double gym.

As for the name of this new facility, it will be called Merlis Belsher Place, after the man of the same name who donated $12.25 million to the Home Ice campaign. Belsher explained that this large donation comes out of gratitude.

“Decades ago, I was privileged to receive two degrees from this university, in commerce and in law. That education provided the pathway for entering into two professions. The Institute of Chartered Accountants, now referred to as the Chartered Professional Accountants, and the Law Society of Saskatchewan,” Belsher said.

After this, he made a career move that gave him the opportunity to support the new facility.

“Following that, I had the opportunity to enter the concrete products manufacturing industry where I spent a lifetime career. I feel very honored today to use this opportunity to express, publicly, a most sincere thank you to the U of S for the education I received,” Belsher said.

Belsher’s donation is the largest ever to be made by a U of S alumnus and has made a significant dent in the cost of constructing the new facility, which is estimated to cost $41 million when completed.

While those who have seen the facility recently may not believe it, Rutherford Rink was once a state-of-the-art arena. As the master of ceremonies for the press event and captain of the Saskatoon section of the campaign, Tim Hodgson gave some history on the facility.

“When this building was built, it was considered to be a state-of-the-art facility. In fact, Dr. P.J. Kennedy, who was a professor with the department of English here at the U of S, wrote a book called Dogs on Ice. His research revealed that this building, when it was built, was the first covered ice facility located on any university campus in the entire British Empire,” Hodgson said.

While this is no longer the case for the rink that has been the home of the Huskies hockey teams for 87 years, Hodgson addressed the issues with the rink as well as the nostalgia housed within it.

“State-of-the-art is not an adjective that can be used now in the same sentence when speaking about this rink. Notwithstanding the uncomfortable seating, the limited sight-lines. Notwithstanding the inadequacies and shortcomings of this building it has been home,” Hodgson said.

While a new home for the Huskies hockey teams will certainly benefit their program, Hodgson explained that the benefits will not solely be felt by the Huskies.

“It’s not just a hockey facility, it’s going to be a multi-purpose facility. The men’s Huskies soccer team and the women’s team will have a new dressing room that will open onto the practice and game fields … There will be a double gymnasium that will become the primary training centre for the basketball team,” Hodgson said.

Additionally, minor hockey programs will be given 1200–1500 hours in the new facility, per season, for their use. This will allow for more convenient ice times for these teams who are currently struggling to find appropriate ice times.

Hodgson also went on to explain all of the uses of such a facility, which include providing extra space to the Huskies volleyball teams and off-ice training for the Huskies hockey team.

“It will be space that can be used to host conferences, special events, exams and other community events, and also to permit the university to perhaps to hold convocation on campus instead of downtown in the future,” Hodgson said.

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Jack Thompson / Staff Writer

Feature Photo: University of Saskatchewan / Supplied

Photo: Jeremy Britz / Photo Editor