The Swansea Hockey Association would like to thank The Toronto Maple Leafs and Home Depot for their generous donation to update the Rennie Park Rink where hundreds of youth and volunteers spend countless hours enjoying the great game of hockey the way it was meant to be played – outdoors!!

The tradition of hockey in Swansea extends back almost a century with games on Catfish Pond, Grenadier Pond, on a rink maintained by the village’s volunteer firefighters behind the firehouse, and now, for more than 30 years, the Swansea Hockey Association has called Rennie Park home.

Each year the Swansea Hockey Association provides learn-to-skate, learn-to-play-hockey and house league programs for approximately 500 youth ages 3 to 17.  Through the efforts of many volunteers, and Mother Nature willing, the season runs from the end of November into March.  Many people who began skating at Rennie Rink return to coach younger players, and, in some cases, their own children.

Rennie Rink will continue to stand as the “Crown Jewel” of open air hockey in this city for years to come, and also as a monument to the hundreds of volunteers who have spent, and continue to spend, thousands of hours each year to bring the children of this area a fun, affordable, and safe place to hone their hockey and skating skills.

The Swansea Hockey Association is firmly rooted in the community.  The City honoured one of its founders, David H. Williams, by naming the clubhouse at the rink after him.  On this day we wish to take the time to publicly thank each of the founding members – David Williams, Al Teliatniik, Barnaby Ross, John Kotyk, and Bob Flood – and those who followed in their footsteps, including but not limited to Past President Tim Flood, for encouraging the values of fair play and having fun that have been passed down for us to nurture in a new generation of Canadian youth. 

This generous donation and commitment to children and community-based volunteer programs will help keep the Rennie Park Rink and the Swansea Hockey Association healthy and strong for many years to come.

Dave James, President
www.swanseahockeyassociation.com

January 25, 2006