WHITBY, ON, Feb. 5 /CNW/ - Scotiabank has extended its community hockey
sponsorship program to Whitby, Ontario. Today, Scotiabank announced its
partnership with the Iroquois Park Sports Centre, sponsoring a series of
community hockey and ice related activities at the Centre and on Family Day.
    The five year partnership with the Iroquois Park Sports Centre (IPSC)
includes renaming Arena 1 to Scotiabank Arena 1; sponsoring the popular
Backyard Rink program, a hockey skills development program in conjunction with
Whitby Minor Hockey Association; and bringing an exciting free-skate
opportunity for the community during Family Day on February 16th. With the
partnership, activities will be provided free to the community.
    "We are very proud to join the Town of Whitby to celebrate our community
hockey partnership and offer opportunities for friends and neighbours to enjoy
Family Day together," said Nick Toritto, Scotiabank District Vice-President
GTA East. "The February 16th launch event of this partnership will provide the
community with a free public skate, parent and tot skate, and also offers the
popular Backyard Rink program. The day will also include special guests as
well as on- and off-ice activities for the whole family."
    The Scotiabank Backyard Rink program which gives parents the opportunity
to introduce young children to the sport of hockey or ringette, using the IPSC
facilities will run three days a week for the rest of the season, with plans
for it to run going forward from October through March at IPSC. Admission is
free of charge for this program.
    "We are extremely pleased to welcome Scotiabank, and look forward to
working together to make hockey even more fun and accessible within our
community" explained Doug Blakely, Advertising and Sponsorship Manager. "These
new initiatives offer families a variety of healthy and active living choices
throughout the year and during Ontario's newest mid-winter holiday."
    Scotiabank's Family Day events will take place February 16th 2009, and
includes a day of free ice activity for the whole family. Scotiabank Parent &
Tot Skate, Public Skating and Backyard Rink will be running from 10 a.m. to 3
p.m. at IPSC. Details and schedule will be announced closer to the date.
    Scotiabank Arena 1 is the premiere property in the six rink IPSC
facility. It is a 2000 person spectator arena and home to major hockey and
lacrosse franchises and tournaments, concerts, trade shows and special events.
    Scotiabank has a long tradition of supporting hockey in Canada from local
teams and minor hockey associations to professional players and leagues.
Through its partnerships, Scotiabank's hockey programs enrich the communities
where Canadians live and work by engaging fans and players in new ways to
celebrate our game. Scotiabank supports the passion and pride Canadians feel
for hockey and believes it is fundamental to helping young people learn about
teamwork camaraderie and the spirit of competition. Scotiabank is the Official
Bank of the NHL, NHLPA, NHL Alumni and CWHL, and has partnerships with the
Calgary Flames and the Ottawa Senators whose home arena is Scotiabank Place.
For more information, on Scotiabank's hockey programs visit
www.scotiahockey.com

    Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live
and work, both in Canada and abroad. Recognized as a leader internationally
and among Canadian corporations for its charitable donations and philanthropic
activities, in 2008 the Bank provided about $43 million in sponsorships and
donations to a variety of projects and initiatives, primarily in the areas of
healthcare, education, social services and arts and culture. Visit Scotiabank
at www.scotiabank.com

    Iroquois Park Sports Centre is owned and operated by the Town of Whitby.
This program follows a policy of corporate engagement which has resulted in
title sponsorship positions at IPSC, McKinney Centre and other Town properties