A rendering of the multiplex and arena concept exterior. (City of Meadow Lake website)

By Angela Brown

Meadow Lake arena and recreation facility

Innovation Federal Credit Union donates up to $1-million in community match

Apr 26, 2024 | 4:07 PM

The new Meadow Lake arena and recreation facility received a boost of funding support today.

Innovation Federal Credit Union will donate up to $1 million to the initiative in a community match program.

With the commitment of $1 million “through a dollar-for-dollar community match,” the Field House within the Co-op Centre will now be officially named “InnovationPlex.”

Any amount the community donates, up to $1 million, will be matched by Innovation Federal Credit Union for its total donation.

Innovation Federal Credit Union CEO Dan Johnson at today’s annoucement. (Matt Ryan/meadowlakeNOW Staff)

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Innovation Federal Credit Union hopes their commitment will inspire others to do the same, regardless of the size of people’s donations.

“We are honoured to partner with the City of Meadow Lake and our co-operative partner, Meadow Lake Co-op, in supporting this remarkable campaign,” said Dan Johnson, Chief Executive Officer at Innovation Federal Credit Union. “We have a long, proud history in Meadow Lake, and we hope this investment further demonstrates our unwavering commitment to helping our northern communities thrive.”

Mayor Merlin Seymour said he is thrilled with the support for the project.

“The naming of InnovationPlex within the Co-op Centre reflects a shared vision for a brighter, more inclusive Meadow Lake,” he said. “We extend heartfelt thanks to Innovation Federal Credit Union for their transformative contribution and unwavering commitment to our community’s well-being.”

Seymour noted the great commitment from businesses as well as individuals has been “overwhelming.”

“This goes to show what a great community we live in,” he said.

About $3.5 million has been raised through donations to date. Meadow Lake Co-op made a $3 million donation. From that amount, $2.5-million went to the naming rights, and the remaining $500,000 was matched with the community through the “CO-OP Community Builder Campaign.”

Tom Gorsalitz, part of the consulting group, DCG Philanthropic Services Inc., for the project, involved in the facility’s fundraising campaign, said it’s great to see businesses coming on board the project in a big way.

“With the campaign goal being $6 million, we’re striving to reach that,” he said. “It’s great seeing another business like Innovation Federal Credit Union step up, joining The Co-op as a community pillar. It just speaks to the generosity of the businesses in the community. It’s inspiring, because [in addition to] these businesses we’re seeing a lot of significant individual gifts.”

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angela.brown@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @meadowlakeNOW