The Hockey Canada Foundation (HCF) and Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation (EOCF) joined members of Edmonton City Council and the Beverly Heights community to celebrate the re-development of the Beverly Heights Community Rink on Family Day, Feb. 16.

The Beverly Heights project was the second of two that came from a partnership between the HCF and EOCF to bring two new community rinks to Edmonton communities. The first, an outdoor rink in Beacon Heights, was officially opened almost a year ago, on Feb. 22, 2014.

The new rinks were possible through a joint $460,000 donation from the HCF and EOCF.

The partnership dates back to 2010 when the foundations joined to host a gala celebration in recognition of the 2010 Olympic gold medal-winning men's and women's teams. The Rings of Gold gala allowed the Hockey Canada Foundation to contribute $230,000 to the community rinks, with the EOCF matching that number.

"The Hockey Canada Foundation is proud to partner with the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation on this community-based initiative for Beverly Heights,” said Chris Bright, executive director of the Hockey Canada Foundation. “Supporting hockey at the grassroots level is a priority for the Hockey Canada Foundation and its dedicated board members. Creating this type of accessibility to the game is a valuable part of our Canadian fabric and we hope this serves the community well for years to come.”

"The EOCF has truly enjoyed its partnership with the Hockey Canada Foundation as we’ve worked together to renovate Beverly Heights’ fantastic new outdoor rink," said Richard Wong, chair of the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation. "This community can look forward to many memories being made out on the ice as families and neighbours can come together, as they have on this Family Day, to enjoy this refurbished outdoor facility for many winters to come.”

A short ceremony was held at the Beverly Heights Community Rink to celebrate its grand opening, followed by a community celebration and shinny hockey. The new rink is now fully operational for community use.

The two Edmonton rinks are part of the Hockey Canada Foundation’s pledge to leave a legacy in communities that host the HCF Celebrity Classic every summer.

Since 2009, the foundation and its partners have donated more than $2.6 million to projects across the country, including outdoor rinks in Montreal (2009), Edmonton (2010), Ottawa (2011) and Toronto (2012), and development programs in Calgary (2013) and Vancouver (2014).

CLICK HERE for more information on the legacy of the Hockey Canada Foundation Celebrity Classic.