Events Centre general manager Ryan MacIvor choked up while giving his final report to city council, and while he may miss interacting with members, he won’t miss giving the venue’s regular budget reports.
MacIvor spoke to city council during its July 24 regular meeting about the 2023 Para Hockey World Championship and everything that went into ensuring it was successful.
Afterward, council members thanked him for leading the former Mosaic Place for the past four years.
MacIvor arrived in Moose Jaw in September 2019 from Dawson City, British Columbia, after managing that community’s events centre for 10 years; he will be returning there this fall.
His last day here is July 28.
“Every machine has (many) cogs, but it also has a main cog, and I’d like to thank you for your effort and everything you did. You played a huge part in this absolutely fantastic event,” said Coun. Kim Robinson.
Mayor Clive Tolley thought MacIvor undersold his leadership skills when talking about how much the community supported the tournament. The mayor thought MacIvor’s past connections with Hockey Canada, his passion for this event, and his leadership qualities were important in not only acquiring the event but pulling it off “with great success.”
“I really appreciate what you’ve done. Council approved it (pursuing the tournament), but it was you and your committee that did the work. We appreciate that,” Tolley added.
Coun. Heather Eby thought it was amazing to be part of the organizing committee, even though she was initially hesitant about the community hosting the event. However, after Hockey Canada’s announcement that Moose Jaw would host, she eventually caught MacIvor’s passion for it.
Eby pointed out that the Moose Jaw and District Food Bank was “a very big recipient” of the tournament, considering any food the athletes didn’t eat was given to the food security agency. That is a legacy to be proud of.
The councillor added that MacIvor was leaving the Multiplex in better shape than when he first arrived, while she was “blown away” with how well he led his team, including during the Scotties Tournament of Hearts in February 2020.
“We will miss you,” Eby stated.
Coun. Crystal Froese joked that MacIvor probably wouldn’t miss giving regular budget reports to council, to which he chuckled and said, “No, none.” She then commended his drive and passion for ensuring the tournament went well and bringing the world to Moose Jaw.
“For us to host an international event that Canada has never hosted before … and to do so in a short time frame, that speaks to your leadership,” she said.
Froese noted that she had never experienced para hockey before but thought the event was “unbelievable” considering the players displayed incredible athleticism. Moreover, she thought the players’ stories resonated throughout the community, including during their interactions with students at schools.
Froese also applauded MacIvor’s leadership in guiding the Events Centre through the pandemic and diligently working to build capacity for the future. She thought he was leaving behind a big legacy and noted council would have “big shoes” to fill.
The next regular council meeting is Monday, Aug. 14.
