By Joel van der Veen
DAVIDSON — After more than two decades, Davidson’s rink is beginning a new season with a new name — and a long-term influx of cash.
AGT Food and Ingredients — headed by Davidson native Murad Al-Katib — has reached a sponsorship agreement with the town.
The company will contribute $15,000 annually towards the rink for the next 15 years, for a total of $225,000.
As part of the agreement, AGT has secured naming rights to the Davidson Communiplex, which will now become known as the AGT Centre.
Al-Katib announced the deal Wednesday in Davidson during a customer appreciation dinner held in the Sacred Heart Parish Hall, with roughly 85 people in attendance.
He confirmed the news in a Twitter post that night, which read in part, “Be proud of your hometown. A big part of who you are.”
Al-Katib is the president and CEO of AGT Foods, which distributes lentils, chickpeas and other crops to more than 120 countries internationally.
Speaking to the Leader on Friday, Al-Katib said the company has previously contributed to facilities in other towns, including Rosetown, Wilkie and Eston.
“Davidson’s a very important community for us, not only in terms of business,” he said. “It’s my hometown.”
While arenas and sports facilities often serve as community hubs, small towns often struggle to cover the costs of operating and maintaining their rinks.
Al-Katib said he believes it’s important and valuable to ensure such facilities can remain viable.
“That’s pretty exciting for us,” he said. “We want to be a part of that.”
He also said he’s pleased to see the growth happening in Davidson, as evidenced by larger classes at the school and the continued popularity of minor sports here.
A more formal presentation is expected to follow at a later date, Al-Katib said.
Recreation director Trevor Ouellette told the Leader in mid-September that AGT and the town had been discussing the agreement since last year.
Initially they were discussing a simple sponsorship agreement, Ouellette said, adding, “It’s morphed into securing naming rights for the Communiplex.”
A couple of name options were discussed, but the decision ultimately rested with Al-Katib and his company.
Ouellette said the generous donation would be used towards capital projects to ensure the “long-term viability” of the facility.
The Communiplex was built in multiple phases, beginning with the curling rink, which was completed in 1980.
The newer section — including the hockey rink, the kitchen, lounge and viewing area — was built in two stages between 1993 and 1995.
In recent years the rink has received multiple upgrades, including improved audio equipment, a new ice plant compressor, and most recently, LED lighting.
Ouellette said the board has talked about placing AGT’s donations into a reserve account for the first couple of years.
The curling rink — 15 years older than the rest of the facility — is soon coming due for various upgrades, including new tinning and lights.
Some of the AGT funds will likely go towards those capital needs, Ouellette said.
“If we can avoid putting the full burden on the community, that’ll be the goal,” he said.
One planned upgrade will benefit the lounge area. Ouellette said Thursday that draft beer will be available to patrons this season with the addition of taps.
On tap will be products from the Rebellion Brewing Company, a Regina-based craft beer brewery.
AGT and Rebellion have had a working relationship since 2015, when the companies partnered to introduce Lentil Cream Ale.