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Suncor renews naming rights on popular leisure centre

Last Updated Jun 20, 2019 at 1:58 pm MDT

PHOTO. (Left to right) Suncor Senior Vice-President of Base Plant Operations with honoured guests BrainSTEM Alliance founder D'Andre Wilson-Ihejirika and Seth Kragnes of Sister Mary Phillips school at Suncor's annual Community Reception on June 19, 2019. MYMCMURRAY.COM/Phil Wood.

Suncor Energy announced they renewed the naming rights on the Suncor Community Leisure Centre.

Shelley Powell, Suncor’s Senior Vice President of Base Plant Operations, said the renewal allows the facility to continue offering quality programs to kids and adults.

Suncor made the deal with the Regional Recreation Corporation (RRC) for $1,000,000.

“Suncor plays an important role in fostering sport, recreation and event experiences,” said Graig Walsh, RRC CEO. “Their support provides direct financial investment into enhancing the quality of life in the region while improving accessibility to key community services, programming and state-of-the-art facilities.”

Since it first opened its doors in 2009, the 450-thousand square foot recreation centre welcomed millions of visitors, housing many programs, amenities, and events.

Suncor Community Reception

Suncor held their annual Community Reception at Shell Place on Thursday night.

The cheese and wine event for business and community leaders and volunteers also featured live entertainment from the local jazz band, Touch of Class.

Shelley Powell gave the keynote address speaking about community involvement recognizing two individuals.

First was Seth Kragnes, who submitted the winning entry in the company’s “Name the Lake” contest for Indigenous youth.

Run in partnership with area schools, Indigenous students submit names for Suncor’s new demonstration pit lake.

Seth’s winning name for the lake is Lake Miywasin, which is the Cree word for beautiful.

“It’s really meaningful in a couple of different ways.” Shelley Powell said. “One, recognizing the connection back to the land, and Indigenous communities that we work with, and also making sure that the community comes along with us in our journey to reclamation and closure.”

Next, Powell recognized BrainSTEM Alliance founder, D’Andre Wilson-Ihejirika.

Wilson-Ihejirika began the non-profit organization to support youth programs in science, technology, engineering and math.

Powell called the regional process engineer a Suncor ChangeMaker for bringing kids in the region more opportunities.

Also, Powell announced Suncor would award BrainSTEM with $20,000 to support its organization.

Suncor Energy Foundation

Powell also highlighted the Suncor Energy Foundation.

To date, the Foundation donated more than $67,000,000 to Wood Buffalo charitable causes.

Also, the group made history donating $3,000,000 to the Northern Lights Health Foundation (NLHF) last December.

It was the largest single donation the NLHF ever received.

Shelley Powell said the foundation actively looks for ways to give back and support social profits.

“The Suncor Energy Foundation looks at supporting communities where we have a lot of our operations, so we’re always looking where are those opportunities that really make the most impact.”