Saskatchewan Roughriders unveil ten finalists for community celebration contest

Photo courtesy: Hannah Souster

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have unveiled the ten finalists for the Richardson Pioneer Rider Nation Community Celebration contest.

• Village of Abbey
• Town of Arcola
• Town of Birch Hills
• Town of Churchbridge
• File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council (11 member Nations)
• Town of Kindersley
• Town of Langham
• Town of Marshall
• Town of Nipawin
• Town of Whitewood

The six winning communities will be announced on Friday, June 3. Each will receive a $25,000 grant to support their community fundraising efforts for sport, recreation and culture initiatives.

“We’re thankful for our partnership with Richardson Pioneer and the generous investment they’re making in Saskatchewan communities to help the province celebrate the 2022 Grey Cup Festival,” said Roughriders’ president and CEO and Grey Cup Festival co-chair Craig Reynolds in a statement.

“More than 60 communities put forward worthy projects and, after careful consideration, we had the difficult task of narrowing the applicants to the shortlist of ten communities. We thank every community for taking the time to apply, and we wish them well in their fundraising efforts.”

The Richardson Pioneer Rider Nation Community Celebration is a one-day party hosted by each the six winning communities. Each celebration could feature elements such as the Grey Cup trophy, representatives from the Saskatchewan Roughriders, prominent Rider alumni and members of the game day entertainment teams.

The events will bring the winning communities together to receive the $25,000 grant, boost their additional fundraising efforts and celebrate the 2022 Grey Cup Festival and championship game taking place from November 16-20.

“Richardson Pioneer is proud to invest in the communities where our customers and employees live and work,” said Richardson Pioneer assistant vice-president Neil Banbury. “The Community Celebration contest is another way for Richardson Pioneer to support the communities that make this province so great.”