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Welcome to the Haynes Pavilion and NHLPA Goals & Dreams Rink! My name is Dan Swanson and I am a member of the Bozeman Amateur Hockey Association.
Please take a minute with me and look around this beautiful pavilion —all the way around.
Now consider that just a year ago this lighted, refrigerated hockey arena was no more than a bare field. A bare field. But in that field, underneath the snow and dirt, were the seeds of our dreams--your dreams, and my dreams, and our children’s dreams.
We planted those dreams here so they would grow. And like good gardeners we came to care for them. Just a few at first, but in growing numbers we came to work on weekends and after our regular jobs. We spent countless hours building forms, tying rebar, pouring concrete, and raising steel. We donated construction materials, we made free deliveries, we gave money, we made loans, we cooked food and held fundraisers and sold concessions. We drew plans and took out permits and coordinated an army of volunteers. And sometimes we worked alone in the rain and wind. Stud by stud the dream took shape and soon our dreams towered above us. And that brought more people to this place and they planted their dreams too.
And now here we are under the big human tent—tired for sure, but closer as a community for having labored together in its construction. Thank you one and all.
Let me introduce some of the people who made it happen.
On an October night Bozeman’s City Manager came to one our annual meeting, and announced that he believed that the city might be able to help us with our drive to build a new pavilion where we could refrigerate ice. But he warned, it would take a lot of discipline, and new skills like lobbying and coalition building and media relations. Truer words were never spoken. It took all of this and more.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the City Manager for Bozeman Montana, the City that works, Clark Johnson:
CLARK, JOAN SPEAK
Thank you Clark and Joan. And Clark let the City Commissioners know when they get back from Boston that this is one group of constituents that supports big boxes—no offense to the architect. I’m serious, if the home depot project goes awry—we’d be glad to turn that big box into an arena.
Next, I’d like to introduce the manager and grand lady of the Fairgrounds—cheerleader, arbitrator, leader, and friend to us all, Sue Shockley. Sue is a skater by the way and has threatened to take up hockey.
SUE, FAIRGROUNDS BOARD, BILL SPEAK
One of the most miraculous part
Gary, 2-3 minutes to say something including thanks to:
Early visionaries:
Jim Cannata for having turned BAHA into a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organization.
Ken Younger for his role in securing new boards & glass for BAHA
Big financial donors:
John & Leslie Morningstar,
Ken & Jenny Younger
Rick & Heather Remitz
Tim & Edra Blixseth
Charlie Briggs Family
Lisa & Russel Tuckerman
Ben Stanley
Plus all the financial donors big & small, the long term pass holders and the endowment fund donors that are too numerous to name here. Thank you.
Financial partners:
First Security Bank
First Interstate Bank
Gary, then introduce Joe Nelson and explain his value to the board and project,
Joe, 2-3 minutes to say something including thanks to the major construction donors:
Companies:
Barnard Construction
Prugh & Lenon Architects
Rick Lane Electric
JTL,
Etc.
Individuals
Rodger Stoltzfus—give Jacket
Jimmy Cannata
George Austiguy
John Marler
Mike Pilon.
Etc.
And thank the many volunteers who came down regularly , the businesses that discounted prices and gave equipment , to numerous to name here. Thank you one and all.
Joe, finish by thanking the families of the volunteers who gave generously by supporting one another and the volunteer. Thanks to the kids who helped out—with special mention going to Chad Cole. And sincere thanks to the spouses that frequently felt more like widows than wives. Your husbands will be home soon.
Introduce and thank Katherine Ball, a hockey mom, spouse of a board member, and banner coordinator.
Katherine, 2-3 minutes to say something including thanks to:
The hockey families for patience, support and loyalty to their volunteer and the program—even now as we finish the locker rooms.
The banner sponsors (probably too long to list, but encourage patronage by members and a word of thanks when they’re in contact).
Mention that there is still room for a few good banners
The Food Coop fundraiser
Katherine, introduce Jeff as the BAHA board member with the longest tenure and most tenacity. Typical of board members Jeff has given on many fronts, coach, youth coordinator, secretary, etc.
Jeff, 1-2 minutes to thank the organizers of the grand opening (Sue, Kim, Larry) and then to thank more globally the County and City. Present banner.
Jeff, introduce Rob Pertzborn our volunteer architect from Prugh & Lenon, a great example of the BAHA overachiever, who risked his job and his marriage for the project. Rob is so frequently at work on the project and so rarely at home that his 3-year old son refers to him as “that man” . This is a beautiful new home Rob. Thank you.
Rob, announce the grand opening and dedication of the Haynes Pavilion and NHLPA Goals & Dreams Rink. Stingers skate out.
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