Those who braved intolerably low temperatures were greeted with high-fives, courtesy of Corey Mace.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders’ newly appointed Head Coach paid a visit to the mamaweyatitan centre on Saturday for Family Fun Day.
Various community organizations, including the Saskatchewan Roughrider Foundation (SRF), teamed up to provide residents of Regina’s North Central neighbourhood with a complimentary lunch, along with activities for children of all ages — and, as you will soon discover, some kids at heart.
Mace quickly immersed himself in his first community appearance as a Roughrider, introducing himself to everyone and helping the youngsters enjoy the games that were available in the Scott Collegiate gymnasium.
One little girl was especially conspicuous due to an illuminating pair of boots. Mace was quick to offer his compliments on the flashing lights and the footwear.
While in the gymnasium, Mace enjoyed his introductory in-person conversations with two Roughriders players — receiver Brayden Lenius and defensive tackle Charbel Dabire.
“That was my first time seeing him and it was a breath of fresh air,” Lenius said. “Things are going in the right direction.
“I spoke to him on the phone a couple of times prior to today. Everything he said was just right. From being here for the last five years, as is the case for myself and a few others, it means a lot to have someone who cares about community as well.
“He even said, ‘We’re going to preach community. We want to change the province.’ To hear that he cares about the community and wants to rally around it, it makes so much of a difference.”
Those words were spoken by someone who last November received the Jake Gaudaur Veterans’ Award, which is presented on an annual basis to a Canadian CFL player who best exemplifies the attributes of our country’s military veterans — perseverance, courage, comradeship and community contributions.
So there he was, on a brutally cold day, giving a boost that did not require any cables.
“This is my first time in this building and it’s gorgeous,” Lenius said. “On a day like today, with a minus-40 wind chill, we’ve got people coming here and hanging out. We’ve got little ones dancing with us, throwing the football and playing some basketball.
“It’s tremendous. This is what we love to do. We enjoy giving back to the young ones. It’s the next generation that needs that love, so it means a lot to us.”
That was evident from watching Dabire, who enjoyed the event so much that he actually took a turn on the obstacle course.
“It’s very important being back in the community,” he said. “You get that kid in yourself that you like to let go. It’s fun to be around kids and give them that freedom to play around. It makes you feel happy, so it’s always nice.
“I had to do the obstacle course. The rolling is another story. I’m too big to roll, so I just jumped over some cones.
“Cornhole was the favourite. We were getting some practice for that tournament we have in the locker room, so I’ve got to get it right.
“In basketball, I’m not too good of a shooter, but I can rebound really well.”
Although hide-and-seek was not on the agenda, Dabire ended up engrossed in a search for a little friend.
“She got me with that one,” he said with a laugh. “She went and hid somewhere. I don’t know where, but I’m going to find her. I’m relentless.”
Coincidentally, Family Fun Day was held one day after Scott Collegiate’s 100th birthday. The school opened on Jan. 12, 1924.
“That is a long time,” Lenius marvelled. “That’s tradition. That just shows that a community rallies around the school and that it means a lot to everybody.
“One-hundred years … that is a lot of history.”
Once a high school, period, Scott Collegiate is now part of an expansive complex that includes the mamaweyatitan centre, the Regina Public Library’s Albert branch and a community policing centre.
Members of the Scott Police Academy ran the canteen at Family Fun Day.
A hot meal — consisting of chili, bread and cole slaw — was served up by Legacy Catering and Services, which provides team meals for the Roughriders.
Along with the Roughrider Foundation, Saturday’s event was put on by the mamaweyatitan centre, Scott Collegiate, the North Central Family Centre, the North Central Community Association, the City of Regina, the Regina Police Service, Regina Fire and Protective Services, the Regina Public Library, Chili for Children and REACH (Regina Education and Action on Child Hunger).
“This was the result of two or three planning meetings and a few e-mails,” Scott Collegiate Principal Rhonda Haus marvelled. “It comes together like this because all the organizations get along so well.
“It’s another unique thing that the community does — different organizations coming together for North Central families.”
The Roughrider Foundation, for example, holds two events per year at the mamaweyatitan centre. The contributions do not end there.
“We were struggling to find funds for basketball uniforms and the Roughrider Foundation bought them for us,” Haus said at the home of the Scott Wolves. “That was awesome.”
The Roughriders and the Foundation were represented on Saturday by Mace, Dabire, Lenius, Cindy Fuchs (SRF Executive Director), Marnie Forsberg (SRF Project Administration Co-ordinator), Jonathan Halvorson (SRF Development Manager), Karlie McGeough (SRF Marketing Communications Associate), Caleb Blundell (SRF Operations and Events Co-ordinator), Karina Peterson (the CFL team’s Community Operations Co-ordinator), Jacqueline Hurlbert (Director, Marketing and Fan Engagement), Rebecca Perigny (Manager, Marketing and Community), Rob Harrison (Volunteer and Guest Experience Manager) and Jenn Senger (Director, Ticket Operations and Sales).
“It is a community team and I love being around it,” said Dabire — like Lenius, a member of the Roughriders since 2019.
“I love being around people who want to have fun and want to be a part of this. I appreciate them letting me be a part of their fun with their kids.”
The only part that wasn’t fun: Getting there.
Some cars simply would not start — one Roughriders employee borrowed her husband’s vehicle — and other roadsters were rather rebellious.
There were a few frozen fingers when visitors approached the mamaweyatitan centre and were welcomed by a young volunteer who stood by the main entrance and opened doors for people, enduring a blast of the wicked cold every time he greeted someone.
“If you’re telling me that this is the worst of it, let’s go!” Mace said when asked for his thoughts on the weather.
“Dress appropriately, stay inside, surround yourself with people you like, and that’s all you need.”
