Arctic Spas, New Sponsor

by Linda M. Steinke

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Arctic Spas presents a cheque for $80,000 to the Village of Thorsby as the recreation centre's newest corporate sponsor. The recreation centre will be known as Arctic Spas Recreation Complex for the next eight years.

On Thursday, December 15, 2011, a group of local and Leduc County dignitaries, area citizens along with executives and workers from Arctic Spas met at the Thorsby and District Recreation Complex to celebrate a wonderful event. Thanks to a major sponsorship agreement between Arctic Spas and the Village of Thorsby, the Thorsby and District Recreation Centre will now be known as the Arctic Spas Recreation Complex (ASRC). The award winning company has made an unparalleled $80 thousand sponsorship agreement with the Village and received naming rights for the next eight years.

Mayor Barry Rasch said, “Usually agreements such as this only happen in larger municipalities, not a village of 988 residents. This is monumental! Arctic Spas is showing amazing leadership in their decision to support the community this way.”

Blue Falls Manufacturing, makers of Arctic Spas brand of hot tubs, has been a major employer in the area since it established its manufacturing plant in Thorsby ten years ago. Arctic Spas signage is now in place the walls of the hockey arena, bowling alley, and concession area as well as the building’s exterior. The iconic logo sports a polar bear peering, head and paws, above a red, black and white oval with “Arctic Spas” written in black.

During the ceremony, Village of Thorsby CAO Wynne served as a fine master of ceremonies, pinch-hitting for Recreation Director Bettyann Gibson who was ill. Leduc County Councillor Ruth Harrison related a story about a small city in Ontario having a difficult time with potholes. When they decided to “sell” the potholes, Tim Horton’s “bought” them and fixed them, putting their logos on each repaired hole. Diligent to encourage corporate sponsorship, she humorously added, “Municipalities have a lot they could sell...even posts...,” before expressing gratitude for the kindness of Arctic Spas’ sponsorship.

Arctic Spas takes its corporate responsibility seriously, whether it is granting hot tub requests it receives as a major donor to Make-A-Wish Foundation Canada or others. CEO, Darcy Amendt said, “The community has given us a lot. We want to give back. We’d also like to show other corporations it’s as important as putting their name on Rexall Place!”

Justin Hallett, Arctic Spas IT Manager, recounted the story of a local handicapped girl who received a spa a few years ago. He explains the company has always given back—it’s a part of its core values, “This is an extraordinary opportunity to do it on a larger scale...a way to do a lot more for a lot of people at once.” ASRC concession manager, Melody Sommerfeld, catered lunch.

Leduc County Parks and Recreation Director Dean Ohnysty then hosted a tour of the Phase 1 facility renovations that transformed the dark, cave like former curling rink turned bike ramp park into today’s multiplex area that is awash in revitalizing natural light. The redeveloped area features a dance studio, fitness centre, sponsorship wall, multipurpose room for basketball, badminton, indoor activities, seniors walking track, ice-user changing room, and added storage space. More changing rooms will be included in future redevelopment.

Ohnysty said Arctic Spas company logo will be embedded in the hockey arena ice next year. Mayor Rasch said Phase 2 and 3 of the ASRC renovation will “give the entire building a facelift.” Currently, there is no set date for the two remaining phases of redevelopment.

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