By Craig Campbell, News Staff
The Dundas Royal Bank of Canada branch continues a century of community support this week with a $15,000 contribution to the Hockeyville Legacy Foundation to help renovate J.L. Grightmire Arena, and mark 100 years in the Valley Town.
“The donation links with RBC’s commitment to hockey and sport,” said local Royal Bank community manager Lori Galinas.
Bank executives, Team Canada sledge hockey player Kevin Rempel and Hockeyville Legacy board members Don Robertson and Barry Forth were among those expected to be on hand Thursday, March 7 at the Dundas Royal Bank branch, 70 King St. W. in downtown Dundas, for the 100th anniversary open house, and official announcement of the donation.
The Hockeyville Legacy has set a target of raising $600,000 towards a $2.7-million renovation of the historic arena on Market Street. The rest of the project will be funded by the City of Hamilton.
“It’s always wonderful when you get a reputable company like this to step up, and get behind a project,” said Robertson, who also serves as president and general manager of the Dundas Real McCoys hockey club.
It’s certainly not the first time the Dundas Royal Bank branch has stepped up to support its community over 100 years of operation in the Valley Town.
The Dundas Valley School of Art; Hamilton Conservation Authority and the HCA’s Eco-Park project are all among the recipients of RBC’s financial, or volunteer support.
The local Royal Bank branch is well-known as co-sponsor of the RBC Citizen of the Year. It also sponsors a Dundas Minor Hockey bantam team.
That’s only part of the local support the Dundas RBC branch has provided over the years – and it’s a list that impressed Nancy Hastings, RBC community marketing manager for South West Ontario.
“They’re doing a lot in a small community,” Hastings said.
She said supporting the Hockeyville Legacy and Grightmire renovation fits well with its national Play Hockey program, which funds projects that support the sport at all levels.
“It’s grassroots – at the community level,” she said. “We’re excited. I think we’re the first big company to come forward with out support. We’re hoping our announcement can help the campaign.”
The Dundas RBC branch has approximately 20 employees and serves 9,600 customers.
It moved to its current central Dundas location in 1969. The branch originally resided on Foundry Street, moved to the Lipton Block and to its present home at 70 King St. W.
