Arena in Allan to be renamed in memory of Humboldt Broncos captain

The skating rink and arena in Allan are being renamed Saturday in honour of one of the town’s favourite sons, who died in the Humboldt Broncos bus crash last year.

The arena that makes up part of the Allan and District Communiplex will now carry the name of Logan Schatz, the Humboldt Broncos captain.

The dedication ceremony scheduled for this afternoon will officially change the name to the Logan Schatz Memorial Arena and cap months of planning, according to Allan Mayor Les Alm.

“It’s the perfect thing to do,” Alm said. “To me, it’s just the right thing to do.”

Alm said he approached the town council and Logan’s parents, Kelly and Bonnie Schatz, with the idea of renaming the arena last fall, and everyone he spoke with “loved the idea.”

The rink already has a miniature rubber-floored arena dubbed Schatzy’s Corner for children to play on, but now the entire rink will carry on his memory.

One of Schatz’s former shop teachers at Humboldt Collegiate Institute, Brian Hinz, helped build two signs that will be mounted at the arena — one inside and one outside — and will be covered ahead of the unveiling scheduled for 2 p.m.

This weekend is also the Allan Winter Festival, which consists of family and child-friendly events for the town.

The dedication ceremony will take place during the festival, and Alm said he’s not sure how many people will show up.

Alm said he felt this was the best possible course of action for the town, and the best way to remember a young man who grew up there.

“Really, it’s all about Logan. It’s about his legacy,” Alm said. “Every time anybody goes into the rink, they’ll see his name and think of Logan.”