Blackhawks' Jonathan Toews Donates $1 Million To Dakota Community Centre In Winnipeg
(CBS) Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews has donated $1 million through his foundation to the Dakota Community Centre in his native Winnipeg, it was announced Wednesday.
"From my earliest days playing hockey, Dakota Community Centre has always played a pivotal role in my upbringing and my career," Toews said in a statement. "Today, I continue to be honored to have my name associated with the Sportsplex on the Dakota campus. My parents have instilled in me the importance of giving back, and I believe that in supporting Dakota, we will see endless possibilities for the Community Centre's future and transformation in the lives of our community members."
The donation is earmarked for the Dakota Futures Capital Campaign, which will support the construction of a 60,000-square-foot fieldhouse along with the future development of the Dakota Community Centre campus. The fieldhouse will include a gymnasium to accommodate multiple multi-use courts. There will also be a three-lane track with many other features to the building.
The fieldhouse will be connected to the existing Jonathan Toews Sportsplex, which is the Community Centre's primary facility and which includes two indoor ice rinks.
"We are extremely grateful to Jonathan for his leadership as honorary chair of our campaign and his transformational donation to the Dakota Community Centre," said Tom Thiessen, the chair of the Dakota Community Centre board of directors. "His generosity reinforces our belief in the importance of access to wellness, recreation and sport programs as key to a healthy community."