The Nation Municipality

The Nation Municipality is thrilled to kick off a $500,000 fundraising campaign aimed at renovating the St-Isidore Arena’s rink surface, boards, and glass.

We invite local businesses, families, service clubs, churches, foundations, sports leagues, schools, and others to join us in contributing to this campaign, with the goal of reaching our target by early 2025.

Your support will ensure that generations of The Nation’s residents, from children to seniors, can enjoy safe, fun, and empowering activities like hockey and skating on this new surface.

Originally called St-Isidore de Prescott, this village is a place where memories are etched into the very fabric of the community. With over 80% of its 892 residents embracing French as their first language, it’s not just a place on the map; it’s a sanctuary of heritage and culture.

Nestled just minutes north of Highway 417, with easy access to Ottawa, Cornwall and Montreal, St-Isidore boasts a thriving economy. This vitality is primarily driven by the vibrant agricultural and service sectors. Yet, behind the statistics and the thriving businesses, there’s a story of generations intertwined with the soil.

Sponsored by a group of volunteers, the primary structure, an airplane hangar, was dissembled and relocated from Pendleton to St-Isidore as its new recreation centre and arena in the early 1960s.

Following several renovations over the years, the facility presently consists of:

• an ice rink with stands and a heated viewing area
• a sports bar
• six well-appointed dressing rooms ideal for tournaments
• a versatile community centre that offers:
  • a splendid banquet hall
  • a fully equipped kitchen
  • a conference room
  • a dedicated activities centre for older adults
  • a bowling alley

Crowds gather on chilly winter Sunday evenings to cheer on the Eagles Junior C team. The Eagles have been playing out of the St-Isidore rink since the 1970s and began as a Junior B team.

For most kids, playing minor hockey offers a wealth of benefits that help them reach their full potential. Besides organized competitive and participative minor hockey, the surface is also a place of inclusivity for players of varying ages and abilities. Pick-up shinny and old-timers’ hockey enables women and men of all ages to remain fit and enjoy one another’s company as they partake in their favorite past-time.

Benoit Pouliot and Francis Wathier, St-Isidore Eagles alumni who went on to become NHL players, serve as living proof of the incredible heights attainable by any local talent.

For new champions to be crowned, memories created, or achievements celebrated within the coming decades, the following modifications must be addressed before 2026:

• A new cement floor and brine tubing refrigeration system will extend the arena life for another 35 – 45 years.
• Existing solid wood boards are not as safe as the new technology since they don’t absorb as much impact when players are checked into them. Replacing them with aluminum boards provide some flexibility thereby lowering the risk of injury for all users.
• Similarly installing acrylic glass also affords more impact absorption for players. The acrylic glass is also easier and safer for employees to install versus large sheets of tempered glass.

The total cost of the project is approximately $1.4 million.

The municipality aims to cover a significant portion of the costs through a combination of reserves set aside for the project, grants, a fundraising campaign, and sponsorships.

The anticipated start date is March 2025 with the aim of completing renovations in time for the 2025-2026 Hockey season.

By generously supporting the revitalization of the St-Isidore Arena, including the replacement of its playing surface, brine tubing, boards, and glass, you are making a profound investment in the rejuvenation of our community’s central gathering spot. Your contribution marks a significant stride towards ensuring a vibrant and fulfilling quality of life for both our residents and visitors.

We eagerly anticipate the opportunity to keep you updated on how your kind donation will help forge lasting memories, create new legends and bring warmth to the hearts of parents as they cheer on their children during chilly winter mornings.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude for your thoughtful consideration and support!

Contact KB Media

Judith Barbarie
Account Manager
T: 613-764-7446 x221
jbarbarie@kbmedia.ca