U of S ready for Merlis Belsher Place grand opening

They’ve broken it in, and now it’s time to celebrate the grand opening of Merlis Belsher Place.

The University of Saskatchewan Huskies are hosting a grand celebration this weekend at the new $51-million facility as the men’s and women’s hockey teams host the Regina Cougars.

Both Huskies hockey teams have been playing in the arena since Oct. 5, with each game serving as a test event ahead of this weekend.

The festivities begin Friday at 7 p.m. when the Huskies men take on the Cougars, then continues Saturday with a full community day.

The community grand opening begins at 9 a.m. with an hour-long alumni skate on the new spectator rink ice surface. Then from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. the public will be invited to skate on the community rink with Howler, the Huskies mascot.

Former Huskies coach Dave King, who most recently manned the bench for Team Canada at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games, will also be on hand for a meet-and-greet between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

There will also be an opportunity to try sledge hockey from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. courtesy of the Saskatchewan Wheelchair Sports Association.

The event ends Saturday evening when the women’s team hosts the Cougars at 7 p.m., in the first match-up between the provincial rivals in the new arena.